Building the New America: Report on trends shaping the migration of people and jobs

Report: Building the New America

How do we build a new urban model for America — one that is better aligned with the aspirations of most Americans? This newly released report examines the housing trends that are driving today's migration of people and jobs.
What $800K buys in San Francisco vs. San Antonio

Ten Worst Things About Houston, Best State Rankings, Economic Diversification, and SF vs. TX Homes

Tory Gattis covers the Ten Worst Things About Houston, Best State Rankings, Economic Diversification, and SF vs. TX Homes in this weekly roundup. Texas ranked near the top for residents that feel their state is the best place to live: standard of living and trust in state government are key reasons.
Houston Downtown

What Hawaii Can Learn From Houston, Our Tourism Niche, Metro Population Racing, and More

Just a few items from the Houston Strategies blog this week: …
urban rail transportation

Transport Costs & Subsidies by Mode

by Randal O'Toole — While it’s true that most transportation is subsidized, it is worth looking at the extent of those subsidies to judge whether subsidies to some forms of transport should be increased or reduced.
Public Domain

Houston Chronicle’s Editorial Crusade Against Fossil Fuels

by Robert L. Bradley, Jr. — There is no representation for conservatives or libertarians on the editorial board of the Houston Chronicle. So when it comes to energy, fossil fuels (because of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions) are seen as the enemy of the climate...

Transit Planners Want to Make Your Life Worse

by Joel Kotkin — In our system of government, the public sector is, well, supposed to serve the public. But increasingly the bureaucracies at the state and local level increasingly seek to tell the public how to live, even if the result is to make life worse.
homeless in LALaurie Avocado

The Unintended Consequence of the Green Movement is More Homeless

by Ronald Stein — The growing populations of homeless and families falling below the poverty line is obvious proof that California plans to go green, at any cost.
"Be Someone" Houston Graffiti

Should “Be Someone” Be Houston’s Official Motto?

by Tory Gattis — Most Houstonians are familiar with Houston's most famous piece of graffiti, the "Be Someone" message in giant letters on the Union Pacific bridge over I45 north of downtown.
anti Amazon graffiti, seen in New York

After Amazon: What Happened in New York Isn’t Just About New York

by Joel Kotkin — The fiasco surrounding Amazon’s recent escape from New York reflects a broader, potentially devastating trend. This new development is being driven by demographic shifts as cities become increasingly polarized with little room for a middle ground between the very rich and the very poor.
The Hollywood Sign, as seen from a nearby trail.

Homelessness in Hollywood

by Alicia Kurimska — The allure of Los Angeles may be good weather, beaches, and the glam of Hollywood. However, the area has about 50,000 who are currently experiencing homelessness. This video examines the extreme inequality of the area.
SMU, Dallas Hall

College Graduates Concentrated in Suburbs, Highest Educational Attainment in CBDS

by Wendell Cox — The nation’s high-density central business districts of the major metropolitan areas have the largest shares of adults over the age of 25 with bachelor’s degrees or higher, consistent with popular perception. However, such a small percentage of people live in central business districts, that most bachelors degree and higher adults live in the suburbs.