OS Tips & News
Klineberg at 35: Houston and America’s Future
It’s become tradition at this point, something as much a part of the landscape of Houston as barbecue, the Rodeo, and the Astros. This year marks the 35th annual Houston Area Survey, the yearly inquiry into the minds and the lives of our fellow Houstonians by Rice...
Texas Textbooks and Slavery
Texas textbooks are causing a stir again over State curriculum standards. These standards act as minimum requirements for what the textbooks have to cover and at this time they do not require teaching of the Jim Crow laws. When Texas rewrites requirements for a...
SCOTUS Saved Obamacare again, so is the fight finally over?
SCOTUS ruled in favor of subsidies for Obamacare. This is the second time the court saved the Affordable Care Act from the chopping block. The approval from the court quietly pleased moderate Republicans but energized the far right. It shall remain the law as long as...
What does the same-sex marriage ruling mean for other freedoms?
The historic ruling on same-sex marriage by the Supreme Court puts an end to gay marriage bans in 14 states. Four of the ten justices dissented, claiming states' rights were being violated. Is there any merit to that argument? Additionally, what does this ruling mean...
How to Accelerate the Texas Economy
By Mustafa Tameez Originally published on TribTalk, a publication by the Texas Tribune. On Nov. 3, Texans will go to the polls to vote on whether the state should dedicate $2.5 billion in sales tax revenue to the state highway fund to help build and maintain roads....
Texas Says NO to Confederate Flag License Plates
The Sons of Confederate Veterans filed a lawsuit over the rejection of a confederate flag license plate design. The US Supreme Court ruled that Texas has a right to reject designs because a license plate is classified as government speech. Was this a fair decision?...
Charleston Shooting Sparks Another Gun Control Debate
In the wake of the tragedy in South Carolina, President Obama is renewing his call for gun control. Many are calling for ways to take guns out of the hands of those who are mentally unstable. Should we be having this debate and what can be done to curb gun related...
Erroneous Immigration Work Permits
The Federal government admitted to handing out 2000 extended work permits to undocumented immigrants after a court injunction against it. A federal judge issued an injunction on President Obama's executive order on immigration, putting the reforms on hold. After the...
FBI Warns of Domestic Threats from ISIS – What Should Be Done?
Following the shooting in Garland, Texas last week, the FBI has issued a new warning of more domestic attacks connected to ISIS. By using social media propaganda, ISIS has expanded their reach into the US, and with the expansion of technology, tracing their influence...
Will Falling Oil Prices Fuel a Recession in Texas?
Plunging oil prices bring layoffs. Will this be the end of the Texas miracle? Will the drop in Texas economy have an impact on Rick Perry’s presidential run? Is Texas’ new leadership ready to confront a poor economy in a state that has rolled along on high oil for...