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
How Many Transparency Stars Does Your City Have?
Less than 230 local entities have even one transparency star. Why is that?
- Texas Tomorrow
Should We Have a Public or Private Police Force?
Public safety is increasingly being outsourced and privatized in Texas neighborhoods due to a crumbling trust in local government. What do you think will be…
- Texas Tomorrow
Are We Being Lied to About Homelessness Spending?
Cities are spending millions clearing homeless encampments…but the tents keep coming back. Why are we constantly told that homelessness is solved, and yet we…
- Texas Tomorrow
Quiet Collapse of Law and Order?
DAs across the state are refusing to enforce the law. That spells trouble for the rest of us.
- Texas Tomorrow
What is the Cost of Public Corruption?
Public corruption is widespread, and local officials make up a large number. What's going on?
- Texas Tomorrow
What is Going on With Baytown's $75M Stadium?
Baytown is getting a massive stadium, but no one knows when, why, or where.
- Texas Tomorrow
Why Did This City Abolish Its Police Force?
Another Texas town abolishes its police force, an outlier or the new norm?
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Police Officer Quotas Really Banned in Texas?
While state law bans quotas on tickets, it says nothing about quotas on traffic stops. Not much different, is it?
- Texas Tomorrow
Three Major Local Transit Reform Bills Died, Why?
Bills targeting billions of dollars in local transit dollars died in calendars committee. Local taxpayers deserve to know why.
- Texas Tomorrow
Small Town Corruption Strikes Again
Small-town corruption is often more offensive than in big cities. This one from Edcouch, TX, is no different.
- Texas Tomorrow
What's Going on In ISDs Across the State?
Whether you're involved in your local school district or not, your money is. Be aware of what's going on.
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Policing Agencies Seeing a Mass Exodus?
Cops in overworked and underpaid agencies are leaving for better opportunities.
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Your Data Open to Attack?
School districts across the state are leaving money to protect themselves from data breaches on the table.
- Texas Tomorrow
What Happened In May's School District Elections?
Are districts reverting back to their old ways, or is it time for voters to wake up?
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Local Officials Distracted by Corruption?
Should local administrators represent us as they face corruption charges?
- Texas Tomorrow
Corruption and Conspiracy in the State's Largest School District?
School officials have been found guilty of 33 counts of corruption. Think it can't happen in your district? Think again.
- Texas Tomorrow
Is the Texas High-Speed Rail Dead?
The Department of Transportation canceled a massive grant for the high-speed rail. What should happen next?
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Your District Electioneering?
Some school districts have come under fire for using public resources to advocate for election contests.
- Texas Tomorrow
What's Your School District Putting on Your Ballot?
This May, school districts are, again, asking for a lot of money.
- Texas Tomorrow
How Is Illegal Immigration Impacting Your Jail?
New numbers show that illegal immigration is overburdening our jail system and making it less reliable and more expensive.
- Texas Tomorrow
If You Call 911, Will Anyone Come?
Police response times are slow. What does it mean for your community?
- Texas Tomorrow
Why Does Homelessness Only Seem to be Getting Worse?
Despite all of the money and time spent on the issue of homelessness, why does it seem to just get worse in our cities?
- Texas Tomorrow
Do You Know How Many Fights Were in Texas Schools Last Year?
Why does it seem there are more fights in Texas schools than ever before? Maybe legislation can help with that.
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Stadiums a Worthwhile Investment?
We often hear that sports stadiums generate economic activity and are a good use of public dollars, but are they?
- Texas Tomorrow
We've All Heard of DEI, But Have You Heard of MWBE?
One family is suing to kill minority contracting programs in Texas by arguing that they are unconstitutional and prioritize race over merit.
- Texas Tomorrow
Why Are Local School Districts Suing?
Local school districts are suing social media companies, asking for damages and policy changes. Is yours doing the same?
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Local Sheriffs Going to Fix the Border Crisis?
Local sheriffs and jails are right in the middle of the border debate. How will they handle it?
- Texas Tomorrow
Do Your Legislative Priorities Align With Your City's?
Cities across the state are rolling out legislative priorities, and not all of them are in your best interest.
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Your Local Government Wages Going Up?
Employee pay and benefits drive local budgets. Do you understand how that's affecting your city?
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Housing Affordability on the Legislative Agenda?
Housing costs have increased in recent years. Will the legislature address it?
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Local Police Oversight Boards Effective?
A state senator is pushing more cities to have local oversight boards, but will it accomplish anything?
- Texas Tomorrow
Do You Know What the New 4th Largest City in Texas Is?
Local policies have driven more people to Fort Worth than Austin, now making Fort Worth the fourth-largest city in Texas.
- Texas Tomorrow
What's the Point of Efficiency Audits?
All local governments should perform efficiency audits. Is your city already doing it?
- Texas Tomorrow
Have You Heard of the South Texas Triangle?
South Texans want to create their own Texas Triangle, the South Texas Triangle, but will it work?
- Texas Tomorrow
Do You Want to Know the Fiscal Picture of Your City in 300 Seconds or Less?
Annual financial reports are released at this time of year, and reading them will provide the best insight into your city's fiscal health.
- Texas Tomorrow
Should the Government Pay for Destroying Your Property?
A McKinney resident is fighting for compensation after the government damaged her home. This could happen to you.
- Texas Tomorrow
How Familiar Are You With Issues Going On Around Texas?
Local jurisdictions across the state always have something going on. While many eyes are on Austin and Washington D.C., more people need to be paying attention…
- Texas Tomorrow
Are You Familiar With Local Government Corporations?
Across the state, local government corporations are using their authority to take out debt and spend on your behalf. You should be aware.
- Texas Tomorrow
How'd Your School Bond Do This Election Cycle?
Bond measures, School bonds, School infrastructure, Community engagement, Civic participation., Community support, School funding, Voter education, Voter…
- Texas Tomorrow
Where is the Cost of Living Lowest Right Now?
Local officials often claim they can't control the cost of living, but the decisions they make certainly factor in and can often drive up costs.
- Texas Tomorrow
Do You Know What's on Your Ballot?
From bonds to charter amendments, they are local propositions on ballots across Texas. What's on yours?
- Texas Tomorrow
What’s Going On With Your Local Criminal Justice System?
Crime labs are an overlooked part of the criminal justice system, is yours functioning as it should?
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Your Community Impacted by Illegal Immigration?
Illegal immigration isn’t just a state and national problem; local communities are facing it too. How is it impacting you?
- Texas Tomorrow
Are Your Taxes Going Up?
Across the state, local taxing entities are taking full advantage that allows them to raise your taxes without your approval.
- Texas Tomorrow
Federal Relief Funding is Coming To An End, What Has Your City Done?
By December local governments have to commit all relief aid to projects or return it. Pay attention to what they plan to do.
- Texas Tomorrow
Do You Live In A Micropolitan Region?
Smaller regions are thriving thanks to the downsides of bigger ones. How do we keep that going?
Texas TomorrowCitizens Across the State Are Using the Charter Amendment Process
Across the state, citizens are pushing for charter changes in their cities and there's no reason you can't do it, too.
- Texas Tomorrow
Comptroller's Housing Affordability Challenge
A new report from Comptroller Hegar highlights just how desperately Texas needs more housing.
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Jail Overcrowding a Problem in your County?
Across Texas, jails are overcrowded, and taxpayers are dealing with the repercussions.
- Texas Tomorrow
Cities Exploring New and Old Transportation Models
Cities across the state are exploring some new, and some old transportation models. But why spend so much money on possibilities when we know what works?
- Texas Tomorrow
Are You Following Your Bail Bond Board?
Counties have bail bond boards made up of local elected officials and you should be watching them.
- Texas Tomorrow
Are We Resilient?
In Texas, we face a lot of natural disasters and local governments are always talking about resiliency. But do they ever get it right?
- Texas Tomorrow
Is Guaranteed Income Working?
The largest formal study on guaranteed income, so far, was released and results aren't what supporters hoped they'd be.
- Texas Tomorrow
City's Spend Big on Civic Art
Local governments often spend a percentage of large construction budgets on civic art leading some cities to have bigger art collections than your local museum.
- Texas Tomorrow
Does Texas Have Unions?
Some people claim there are no unions in Texas, it's simply untrue. They're responsible for a lot of the employment policies we see at the local level.
- Texas Tomorrow
Squatters, a Growing Problem in Texas
Across the state squatters are moving in and laying claim to people's homes. Is it also happening in your neighborhood?
- Texas Tomorrow
Will Stafford Remain A City Without Property Taxes?
For three decades, Stafford has operated without a property tax. If the city council has their way, that will change this November.
- Texas Tomorrow
Major Investments in Small Towns
Big tech investments are happening in Texas small towns and taxpayers are looking to benefit.
- Texas Tomorrow
New Group Hopes to Encourage Republican Mayors
Most major cities have Democratic mayors leading the charge but a new group, led by Texas mayors, is hoping to change that.
- Texas Tomorrow
Cities are Struggling to Find Police
Cities are in a hiring crisis when it comes to police and as a result they're leaning on new technology to bridge the gap.