April 2013

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.

Blink and you’re likely to miss a new dollar store opening in your neighborhood. In tiny towns and gigantic cities alike, they’re popping up like bluebonnets after an early spring rain.

Property tax haters, be careful what you wish for. Replacing that tax with an expanded sales tax may not provide the much-longed-for relief you’re seeking.

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.”

Texas’ housing supply flexibility kept home prices here from skyrocketing in the boom years. That’s why Texas avoided the heartbreak of a housing bubble. And that’s why housing supply flexibility is a good thing.

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.

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.