In local government news, Houston's City Council has agreed to a 380 agreement (named for the paragraph 380 of the Texas Local Government Code) to help develop a recently vacated lot near the Heights. The controversy is that the developer is Walmart -- actually agroup affiliated with Walmart, so there are questions raised regarding whether they need the assistance, as well as whether there are alternative options for development.
Whether or not this is a good idea, it illustrates local government's role in helping spur economic development. It also showcases the tight connections that can exist between vested economic interests and local development policy and implementation.
- Here's the website of an opposition group.
