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.

The Impact of Young Voters on Midterm Elections 2022

by Cruz Garcia — There were reasons to believe a red wave was going to sweep the midterms—but, once again, a silent majority prevailed and this time it was amongst Zoomers and Millennials. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 made up 12% of the voter electorate this November.
The read American divide is moderate voters vs extremists on both sides

The Real American Divide

The real American divide is between the extremists of both parties and the moderate, pragmatic policy preferences of the average American.
Houston City Hall

Texas’s Hottest Race

National pundits opining on Texas elections say that the governor’s race is the one to watch, but Texans themselves are perhaps even more focused on the race for Harris County Judge.
Houston's growing business districts

Houston Asks Voters to Approve $478 Million in New Debt

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by Charles Blain — Despite being awash with federal aid, $607 million since 2021, and benefiting from annual property tax increases, $27 million more this year, the City of Houston is asking voters this November to approve $478 million in local debt.
Second Dwelling Units may help ease housing unaffordability in urban areas, but are prohibited by deed restrictions in many cities.

Why Houston is Better with TIRZs, and Minimal Zoning Restrictions

by Tory Gattis — Houston's TIRZs (tax-increment reinvestment zones) may provide more opportunity for middle and working class families to find affordable housing than typical urban zoning practices.
Martha's Vineyard neighborhood

What Martha’s Vineyard Represents

by Cruz García — On the night of September 14, two planes carrying 50 Venezuelan asylees landed in Martha’s Vineyard sent by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Opposition to public funding makes the Texas High Speed Rail project increasingly unlikely.

Texas High Speed Rail: The End or Not?

by Wendell Cox — In 2012, Texas Central Railway announced a plan to build a high speed rail line from Dallas to Houston. However, local opposition and lack of funding resources means the rail project now seems unlikely.
2020 General Election, Latino Voters

How Race Politics Misses the Mark for Latino Voters

by Cruz García – Latino voters should be approached as swing voters with no real loyalties to neither Democrats nor Republicans for the 2022 midterm election.
Suburbia in the city of Chandler

Why Suburbia Will Decide the Future

by Joel Kotkin — As the U.S. population increasingly moves to suburbia, these shifts in population are rewriting the present and future political map.
Aerial view of suburbs

New Book: Houston as the Bold Case Against Zoning

A new book by M. Nolan Gray cites the Houston city model makes a bold case against zoning.