LSR Final Issue, Published August 12, 2011

When I was told about the closure of this version of Lone Star Report, I jokingly replied that some past writings will finally come back to haunt me.

 

But preparing for a new chapter in my life also caused me to reflect on values, both the values that drive me professionally and those that inform our public life.

Is Texas a "conservative" state?

 Yeah. It is. Pretty much. I've pondered that question considerably since the decision came down to fold The Lone Star Report's 15-year-old tent.

Most Americans are aware of the over $14 trillion federal debt. But few are focused on the debt education entities are leaving for our next generation to pay.

 

Total outstanding debt service for Texas local government totals a whopping $309 billion, and the lion's share of that is for education.

In the media, the natural inclination is to focus on what's wrong and how to fix it. But in the 15 years LSR has been in print, a lot of positive and noteworthy developments have occurred in Texas politics.

Much of the copy in LSR, particularly in even-numbered years, is devoted to campaigns and elections. In our 15 years of publication, the Texas political scene has dished up some wild entertainment. Here's my list of the 10 wackiest races in Texas politics (in no particular order):

The key to liberty, freedom and a sound business climate is to keep government growth under control. Easier said than done ... Unlike the federal government, it's hard to borrow in state government and spending is controlled better here than in other states. But there are still issues that need resolution.

Sometimes politicians and academics mistakenly think business has little to teach them about how to run their shops. Did it ever occur to some of these people that American free enterprise created the wealth that funds both government and academia?

 

I've always believed that government could use more business perspectives, and toward that end, I got involved in a variety of policy matters, including working with the Associated Republicans of Texas and the Republican Party of Texas on policy matters, serving as a gubernatorial appointee on a state commission, and running for statewide office.

September 1996 – The Lone Star Foundation and its chairman David Hartman start this publication, with Mike Arnold as managing editor. William Murchison serves as a consultant to the publication throughout its history.

November 1996 – David Guenthner and James A. Cooley join the publication's staff as marketing director and senior editor, respectively.