A rush of rental bikes and the ensuing backlash against ‘urban litter’ have again raised the question of whether this city can handle two-wheeled lifestyle choices. They’re everywhere. And bright. They’re maybe not the color you’d pick for your own, but that’s the whole point of these bike-share rentals in Dallas. They stick out on…
Dallas Politics
Dallas Politics runs rampant from public safety to roads with potholes. Challenges include retaining the Dallas Police Department employees and firefighters, who are fleeing our city, in part because of the foundering Dallas Police and Fire Pension pension, which is expected to expire in a decade.
Voter turnout in the city of Dallas is pathetic. During the May 2015 election, a measly 6 percent of eligible voters participated. Dallas ranked lowest for voter turnout among the 30 largest cities in the country, according to research from Portland State University. The few deciding the fate of the many. Even more striking is the median age of said voter in Dallas — 62 years old. We’d be hard-pressed to get much more unrepresentative.
How to Protest your Property Taxes in Dallas
If you’re a homeowner in the DFW area, you recently got a shocker in the mail: a 2017 appraisal of the value of your property that probably went through the roof. The value of homes in Dallas County rose 9.9 percent this year, with the value of homes in the four major counties around Dallas,…
Don’t Thank Dallas Mayor for Pension Resolution
Following months of uncertainty, some progress is being made to divert one of the biggest potential crises for the city of Dallas: the disposition of the massively troubled Dallas Police and Fire Pension. But we don’t have Mayor Mike Rawlings to thank for it. Due to gross mismanagement, the pension fund has acquired a debt…
Pastors Now Can Preach Politics from the Pulpit
President Donald Trump has become known for the large number of executive orders he’s signed since he was elected, but one he signed on May 4 involving religious liberty has even some faith organizations scratching their heads. What the order does is essentially remove a gag on pastors that previously prevented them from preaching politics…
Why You Need to Vote
It feels like things are really getting bad in Texas. That we’re living in a dystopian HBO drama where there is only one flavor of opinion — vanilla. Tolerance is nonexistent, sprinkles aren’t allowed. Don’t even think about chocolate. It’s embarrassing enough that a federal judge has ruled, yet again, that our voter ID law…
How Dog Friendly is Dallas
Dallas loves its dogs, and you can find man’s best friend pretty much everywhere, on coffeehouse patios, at festivals, and sometimes unfortunately loose on the street. But On April 27, the city sent out letters to approximately 140 businesses with patios letting them know how they can go about receiving a dog variance in Dallas.…
Why We Need to Speak Up for Mother Earth
April 22 marked the passing of another Earth Day, with a weekend-long festival at Fair Park, and celebrations around the world. Our awareness about the importance of protecting the environment seems to be increasing. Yet the actions by state and national politicians seem to be going in the opposite direction. This should be a no-brainer.…
Dallas Hits Gas Pedal on Red-Light Cameras
As other cities nationwide hit the brakes on red-light cameras, Dallas hit the gas pedal, approving a plan that could be around for the next decade. Despite rancor online from residents who oppose the program, a new $17.8 million contract was approved by the Dallas City Council on April 12, in a 9-6 vote. Supporters…
Dallas Police are Ripe Recruitment Targets
San Antonio wants our cops and is going big to get them. The Alamo City is seeking recruits for its police department via billboards on I-35, US 75, and the Dallas North Tollway, and they’re getting a response — “hundreds of calls,” says WOAI-TV. Their offer includes a $7,500 sign-on bonus and what they call…
The Dollars and Sense of Sanctuary Cities
The concept of a sanctuary city is an ancient one, dating back to the Old Testament. But with immigration emerging as a major issue since the 2016 Presidential election, the topic has a new life, both nationally and locally. The current controversy over sanctuary cities began in January, when President Donald Trump signed an executive…