All My Exports Come from Texas
(Torres) 5pp.
Texas is a major player in the export game. It ranks first among the states in exported goods and 55th in the world. That translates into income and jobs that strengthen the state’s economy.
Come Back to the 5 & Dime
(Dotzour, Parulian, Stewart) 4pp.
While most large national retail chains shun small towns, dollar stores have been successful in towns with populations as few as 300. Relative saturation (how many people one store serves) is one factor to consider in determining which communities can support more dollar stores.
Home Stretch: Housing Supply Flexibility
(Anari) 2pp.
A Center research study revealed that Texas' housing supply flexibility (HSF) helped the state through the 2006-12 housing crisis by keeping home prices lower than the national average. HSF measures how housing supply responds to changes in housing demand.
Mineral Law West of the Pecos
(Fambrough) 5pp.
Figuring out who owns mineral rights in Far West Texas is tough. It requires, among other things, a history lesson, some seriously weighty reading of old laws and interpretations of what constitutes a mineral. Even attorneys are left scratching their heads.
Home Work Tax Perk
(Stern) 2pp.
Enjoy the home office deduction, but remember, the kids can’t be Skyping with their friends or watching Spongebob Squarepants in there. And that’s just a couple of many “can’ts.”
Crowd Control: Planning for Texas Population Growth
(Gaines, Hunt) 4pp.
Growth management comes in a number of styles. Which is best? With Texas’ population increasing exponentially, any of them are better than not planning at all.
In Defense of the Property Tax
(Gilliland, Adame, Oberrender) 3pp.
Some argue the Texas property tax has a negative effect on economic growth and should be replaced with an expanded sales tax. Research, however, suggests otherwise.
