In recent weeks, former President Donald Trump’s outspoken threats against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook exemplify a disturbing trend—one where political interference threatens the foundational independence of key economic institutions. His explicit declaration that he would fire Cook if she does not resign over alleged personal misconduct blurs the line between legitimate oversight and political
Politics
San Antonio stands at a critical crossroads, poised to commit hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to a new downtown sports arena—an edifice that promises economic revitalization but risks becoming a reckless boondoggle. Despite opposition from a faction of city council members who demand more rigorous analysis, the majority has opted to press forward, trusting
The recent push by the U.S. Department of Transportation to incorporate more private capital into infrastructure projects reveals a pragmatic yet potentially transformative strategy. It signals a recognition that federal funds, while essential, are insufficient by themselves to modernize and sustain America’s aging infrastructure. The emphasis on leveraging private investment, especially from U.S. pension funds,
The recent episodes surrounding President Donald Trump’s attempts to influence the Federal Reserve expose a troubling pattern of undermining institutional independence. While central banks are designed to operate free of political pressures to maintain economic stability, Trump’s overt hostility—publicly criticizing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and considering replacements aligned with his market-friendly but potentially reckless
As the legislative machinery gears up for a pivotal 2026 fiscal year, the recent progress in passing bipartisan appropriations bills represents both a glimmer of progress and a stark reminder of underlying vulnerabilities. While the Senate’s move to approve several key appropriations ahead of the August recess signals some commitment to fiscal responsibility, it is
In recent weeks, Texas’s political landscape has been embroiled in a heated debate over local taxation and fiscal flexibility. At the heart of this dispute lies Senate Bill 9, a piece of legislation poised to tighten the reigns on property tax increases for larger municipalities. This bill, favored predominantly by center-right conservatives aiming to curb
The recent passage of the bipartisan housing legislation by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs signals a pivotal moment in American politics—a rare convergence of political will across the aisle with a common goal: expanding housing opportunities. The bill’s core strategy involves raising the cap on housing credits, bonds, and rating incentives,
The decline of coal as a primary energy source in the United States has been much more than an environmental or political debate; it marks a seismic shift with profound fiscal repercussions for local governments. Many communities once bastions of coal mining now find themselves caught in an economic squeeze they’ve neither anticipated nor prepared
Texas’s recent catastrophic floods, especially along the Guadalupe River during the July 4th weekend, reveal the tragic consequences of political complacency and misguided priorities. With 135 lives lost and billions in damages, the disaster signals a systemic failure to adequately prepare for nature’s fury. While emergency responses and flood mitigation are imperative, it is the
In 2025, an alarming trend emerges from the voices of city mayors across the nation—an unmistakable warning of an impending fiscal collapse that could destabilize urban America. A comprehensive survey by the National League of Cities (NLC) paints a sobering picture of municipalities scrambling to adapt to declining federal support. As funding from pivotal programs