As millions of Texans hit the highways for the start of holiday season, new signs that the bell may be tolling for toll roads. But with costs and complaints and traffic all up, are we nearing a tipping point when it comes to Texas’ free market philosophy for transportation? We’ll explore. And in a small Texas town turned upside down by a church shooting, Thanksgiving arrives early. Also, the homeless often get more attention this time of year, now the spotlight turns to what some say are laws that keep people homeless. And with miles of pipeline connecting oilfields to Corpus Christi, a plan to pipe something back west, and maybe around the world, too. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Transportation
My Bicycle is My Horse
Many folks assume all Texans ride horses – and sure, some of us do. But a special kind of horse, the two-wheeled breed, is much more common on the streets around here.
Texas Standard: September 13, 2016
Reading writing and, racism? Public outrage today over a textbook which claims to teach Mexican American history. We’ll explore. Plus, sick of traffic? Science to the rescue. Texas A&M has a plan to move cargo off the road so cars can go…could be huge for cities like Houston, we’ll have details. Also a Texas metropolis nipping at the heels of the nation’s top 10 export cities. Any guesses? We were surprised, perhaps you will be too. And officially it calls itself the Live Music Capitol of the World but city leaders worry about an unhealthy exodus of musicians. Too late for a turnaround? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Disrupting My Ride
There’s an ongoing trend of peer-to-peer goods sharing sweeping the nation. Now, many Texas cities are creating policies for the companies, especially ride sharers like Uber and Lyft. That was the inspiration for Typewriter Rodeo’s David Fruchter as he wrote this week’s poem.
Texas Standard: January 21, 2015
Crashing oil prices drain hundreds of millions of dollars from the State Highway Fund. So I can gas up my car for cheap but who’s gonna pay to fix the roads? Also the Texas tax man says the sky is NOT falling, but in many cases cities are left holding the tab for road repair. And why is Texas billionaire Michael Dell placing big bets on tiny TV stations Plus: how Uber and Lyft are forcing cities to bend the rules on background checks. Those stories and lots more on todays Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: November 4, 2015
HERO gets beaten at the ballot box–Houston residents reject a proposed equal rights ordinance. Voters statewide approve billions more for transportation…yet a key lawmaker says it won’t be enough. And the voice of big oil in Texas says more regulation please? Also Alaska, ticking off Texans since 1959…or so goes the bumper sticker. Our commentator says not so fast and he’s just getting started. All those stories and more on todays Texas Standard time: