How Dallas Handles Growth and Why It Works

In Oak Lawn, neighbors proved that talking things out—even when opinions clash—can lead to better outcomes than shouting matches. When a zoning change proposal for Newton Avenue came up, instead of digging in heels, the community sat down to hash out differences. Not everyone left happy, but trust grew, and the final plan improved because of it. Other Dallas neighborhoods facing similar debates might want to borrow this approach. Meanwhile, Dallas City Hall faces its own neglect problem after years of political mismanagement. Instead of fixing the 48-year-old building, leaders now want to abandon it. But why should taxpayers cover their mistakes? The same officials voting to leave City Hall haven’t even figured out how much moving would cost—yet they’re quick to dismiss repairs. It’s a pattern of avoiding responsibility that voters shouldn’t let slide.College sports face trouble because of rules that favor big schools over small ones. Smaller universities like Dallas Baptist work hard to compete, but the current system stacks the deck against them. If nothing changes, even schools with strong programs will struggle. Some say the only fix is Congress stepping in to rewrite the rules—before more programs disappear. Religious freedom debates in Texas keep popping up, but history shows where this path leads. Founding fathers like Jefferson and Madison warned against mixing government and religion. Forcing prayers or symbols in schools isn’t freedom—it’s control. The Constitution already made that clear. Finally, some small victories make headlines. The Kennedy Center dropping Trump’s name after his presidency was a rare moment of good judgment. His tendency to demand recognition—no matter the cost—has left a trail of wasted money and broken reputations. Maybe others will learn to say no before more institutions cave to his brand of self-promotion.