Shows / Texas Tomorrow
Texas Tomorrow
Charles Blain focuses on the issues impacting urban and suburban communities now that will shape the future of Texas for years to come. Texas Tomorrow, a show dedicated to covering the issues important to families living in the fastest growing parts of Texas.
Episodes
- Texas Tomorrow
What's the Cost of Bad Leadership?
When we elect people who exercise poor judgment, we give that judgment a public office. And when things go wrong, other people have to deal with the…
- Texas Tomorrow
Different Jobs, Different Budget Calendars, Different Accounting—Who's Right?
Harris County’s own budget reports a nine-figure deficit for the second straight year, raising a question: Can recurring revenue cover ongoing costs once…
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Bonds on Your Ballot?
Before you vote to let your county borrow money, do you know exactly what you’re approving? In one county, that question comes with an $817.5 million price tag.
- Texas Tomorrow
Why did TCEQ Reject "Zero" for Formosa's Plastic Permit?
A company under a federal agreement to stop discharging plastic asked Texas regulators to write that same promise into its state permit. TCEQ said no.
- Texas Tomorrow
Texas First Responders Use More Than Fifty Radio Systems
Texas officials told lawmakers it can take about 36 hours to put every responding agency on one communications plan. The challenge is not only buying radios…
- Texas Tomorrow
Should creating a government be as easy as 100 signatures?
It took exactly 100 signatures to put a brand new taxing entity on the ballot in a Texas county of 402,000 people. Should creating a government be that easy…
- Texas Tomorrow
What Happens When the City Sells its Land to Pay the Bills?
Texas local governments must balance their budgets. Some do it with land sales, rainy-day money, utility transfers, and other dollars that may not be there…
- Texas Tomorrow
Four School Tax Votes, Nearly $1.5 Billion in Bonds, One Metro area Under Pressure?
Four San Antonio-area school districts are asking voters for more operating money this November. What happens if either side of the ballot fails?
- Texas Tomorrow
What Does Government Accountability Look Like When it Actually Works?
Harris County’s appraisal district acknowledged a control failure and promised corrections; the next test is whether the public can verify the fix.
- Texas Tomorrow
Who’s Responsible When Government AI Gives the Wrong Answer?
If human reviewers fade away and government work product is AI-produced, who will be held responsible for when things go wrong?
- Texas Tomorrow
When do Local Governments Decide What You Vote On in November?
Most voters will not see their November local ballot until October. But cities, counties, school districts, and special districts are making the real decisions…
- Texas Tomorrow
Did a Judge Just Kill Race-based Contracting?
Houston awarded $579 million to certified minority-, women-, and small-business contractors last year. Now, a federal judge has blocked the city from using…
- Texas Tomorrow
When the Data Gets it Wrong, Who Pays the Price?
A private company built a 100,000-camera surveillance grid, wired it so federal authorities can access it, and operated it for more than a year without a…
- Texas Tomorrow
The Hidden Cost of Rising Home Prices
Texas home prices are still climbing in some of the state’s most expensive communities; can the property‑tax system keep up without shifting costs onto…
- Texas Tomorrow
San Antonio’s 33-Year Tax Streak Is About to End — And Every Texas City Should Be Watching
San Antonio hasn’t raised its property tax rate in 33 years. But with a $172 million deficit looming, a September 17 council vote ahead, and projections…
- Texas Tomorrow
They Got Caught. Now What?
The homestead exemption investigation is producing results. The Harris County Appraisal District is reviewing 19 Doors Holdings properties, and Austin’s St…
- Texas Tomorrow
Who Pays for Property Tax Fraud?
Across the state, property owners are claiming ineligible exemptions, but who covers the cost?
- Texas Tomorrow
Who Has the Power to Handle Data Farms?
With no zoning powers, counties are coming up with unique ways to stop emerging data centers. Will they work?
- Texas Tomorrow
Corpus Christi’s Cost of Indecision
Texas' eighth-largest city is on track to become one of the first major U.S. cities to run short of water — and it just spent 15 hours deciding not to decide…
- Texas Tomorrow
Can Government Combat Loneliness?
If loneliness kills as many men as smoking, why isn't a single Texas county treating it like the public health emergency it is?
- Texas Tomorrow
What Happens When Cities Leave their Regional Transit Authorities?
Highland Park has left DART—the first city to do so in 37 years. Might this start a trend?
- Texas Tomorrow
Every Major Texas City Is Broke, Why?
Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso, Arlington — all running deficits at the same time. What's breaking Texas city budgets, and why isn't…
- Texas Tomorrow
$6.2 Billion, Decided by 8 Percent
Texas just approved the largest school bond in state history and barely anyone showed up to vote. What does it mean when billions ride on single-digit turnout?
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Wall Street Really Buying All the Houses?
There are thousands of rental homes Texans will never own—because corporations do. And a new $4 billion deal is set to add even more to their portfolios.
- Texas Tomorrow
$174 Billion and Counting: Texas Got the Water Bill It Spent 50 Years Ignoring
Texas just learned it needs $174 billion to keep the water running, more than double what it projected four years ago. Corpus Christi may run dry by next year…
- Texas Tomorrow
The County Judge Might Have More Power Than You Think
Your county judge can order you to evacuate, override your mayor, commandeer your property, and govern by executive order — all without a single vote from…
- Texas Tomorrow
Cities Face A Tough Choice, Autonomy or More Money. Which Will They Choose?
Who gets to pass an ordinance in Texas, or more importantly, who gets the final say? Not always who you think.
- Texas Tomorrow
When your city council starts making immigration policy, who's actually running the city?
Houston City Council just passed an ordinance limiting when HPD can contact ICE. Chicago, Denver, New York, and Long Beach have done the same thing.
- Texas Tomorrow
The Texas Mega-Event Machine: Who Really Pays?
Houston is spending half a billion dollars to look good for the World Cup and Arlington invested millions. Texas loves hosting the world, but is the mega-event…
- Texas Tomorrow
What’s Going on in Corpus Christi?
As Corpus Christi faces an emergency that could impact the rest of us, are its local officials able to meet the challenge?
- Texas Tomorrow
Who's Building Texas?
Governor Abbott just launched a statewide Jobs Council but the skilled trades shortage it's supposed to fix is already reshaping what gets built across the…
- Texas Tomorrow
What Happens When Citizens Get Auditing Power?
Citizens can hold their local government accountable by reporting them, a good tool or bureaucratic Battlefield?
- Texas Tomorrow
Will Corpus Christi’s Water Crisis Worsen?
One of Texas's biggest industrial ports needs 60 million gallons of new water a day by November what happens if they miss?
- Texas Tomorrow
Public School Closures Sparking Community Concerns
Seats are emptying and schools are closing but do we know exactly why?
- Texas Tomorrow
2/25/26 Latest Texas Polls
-New UT Poll Shows Tight AG Race, Close Senate Contest -Hood County Rejects Data Center Moratorium, Pressures DA on Appraisal District Audit -Texas Education…
- Texas Tomorrow
Where Will Texas's 400+ Data Centers Land?
Over 400 data centers are operating or under construction in Texas. The $500 billion Stargate project alone will draw enough power to light 750,000 homes. And…
- Texas Tomorrow
A Texas School Spent MILLIONS of Dollars Without Approval?!
Texas school districts are spending hundreds of millions without board approval, did the state make it easier to do more of it? If your school district spent…
- Texas Tomorrow
How Much Power Does Your School Board Hold?
School board meetings have become battlegrounds—but most parents still have no idea how much power these elected officials actually hold over their kids'…
- Texas Tomorrow
What is the “Right Size" for Government?
Texas local governments come in all sizes, but is there a "right" size?
- Texas Tomorrow
Do You Live Under an Invisible Government?
Some jurisdictions are so small they fly under the radar, but these invisible governments shouldn't go without accountability.
- Texas Tomorrow
People Need More Access to Their Local Officials, Not Less
What happens in communities where people’s access to their officials, whether through network or time constraints, is limited? Who upholds accountability?
- Texas Tomorrow
What Happens When Even Local Trust Fails?
We’re used to not trusting talking heads and distant politicians, but what happens when it's our neighbors we start to question?
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Your City Hiding Debt Behind a Glossy Budget?
Every year, cities release polished budget presentations full of promises, but the real financial story is hidden in a boring document most citizens never read.
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Your City Council Secretly Blocking Market Rate Housing?
The Texas legislature has recently passed bills aimed at lowering housing costs through deregulation, but local municipalities are fighting back. Learn how…
- Texas Tomorrow
Can Friday Night Lights Save a Dying Town?
In rural Texas, where high school enrollments have plummeted below 104 students, the 11-man game has been replaced by 6-man football. Is this beloved tradition…
- Texas Tomorrow
Do You Know Who Serves You?
Boards and commissions are stacked with insiders whose names you should know, but you should be paying attention to what they're doing.
- Texas Tomorrow
What Happens When Citizens are Tired of Their City Selling Their Property?
Bee Cave residents fought back and told their city that if they want to make land deals, they must first ask voters. Will it work?
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Microtransit Mission Creep Happening Near You?
Across the state, microtransit firms are popping up, replacing fixed bus networks, but they might not be all they are made out to be.
- Texas Tomorrow
Who is Really in Charge of Local Issues?
Is local government or local governance running your town? The difference matters, and you should know why.
- Texas Tomorrow
Where is Local Government Filling the Gap?
When the federal government shuts down, local government keeps going. Why is that?
- Texas Tomorrow
Public-Private Partnerships, Innovation, or Growing Problem?
P3s are popular across the state and are billed as innovative solutions to public projects, but do they cause more harm than good?
- Texas Tomorrow
Local Governments and AI
Local governments are increasingly using AI to support their work, but as with any tool, it's only as good as its user. So, should citizens be concerned?
- Texas Tomorrow
Convention Centers Going Up in Texas: Who Will Pay?
Stadiums, convention centers, and arenas are receiving billions in technical upgrades, facelifts, and expanded footprints in Texas in hopes of luring the next…
- Texas Tomorrow
Who's To Blame For Broken County Jails?
No one wants to take the blame for broken county jails in Texas, but you’re left holding the bag.
- Texas Tomorrow
Fraud Costs, But How Much?
Fraud isn't just for credit cards or card games; it's happening where you live.
- Texas Tomorrow
How Much Are You Indebted To Your City?
Local governments are racking up debt and trading your future. Isn't it time you had a say?
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Unqualified Teachers Teaching Your Child?
A scandal is still unfolding as more teachers are embroiled in a certification test-taking scheme.
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Your HOA Out of Bounds?
HOAs wield a lot of power; is it time some of that is curtailed?
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Tax-Funded Stadiums Providing the Benefits They Promised?
Billions are spent on stadiums and arenas with the promise of increased economic return. Are taxpayers seeing those promises come to fruition?
- Texas Tomorrow
Will Trump's New Homelessness Approach Work?
Will Trump's Executive Order targeting homelessness incentivize cities to finally address the issue, or will they continue to shuffle and hide it as they've…