Public Accountability

This section of The Huntsvillan contains the red meat – articles examining the actions and effectiveness of government, usually local government, roughly one per month. They are listed from newest to oldest; all are free to read after a seven second video. Articles with "Say What?" and Public Accountability content are listed in both sections.

Local school boards meet, hilarity ensues

What can you learn about a school district by watching one of its school board meetings? Quite a lot, actually.

Local school boards meet, hilarity ensues

Huntsville ISD board meetings differ in style and substance from those of other local school districts.

The HuntsvillanSteph Mamber

Local schools get grades of their own

A close look at the Texas Academic Performance Report shows you what local schools are trying to accomplish – and how well they succeed.

Local schools get grades of their own

The tables have turned.

The HuntsvillanSteph Mamber

Huntsville spends over $1 million annually marketing itself to tourists. Why is it hiding one of its crown jewels?

Huntsville has an incredible concentration of museums and historical buildings, neither of which are emphasized in the city's tourism marketing.

Huntsville spends over $1 million annually marketing itself to tourists. Why is it hiding one of its crown jewels?

Huntsville has an exceptional concentration of museums and historical buildings--not that you’d learn that from the city.

The HuntsvillanSteph Mamber

Hospital District board members extend their own terms of office

Hard to believe, but true – twice, actually, the second time via a new state law that also facilitates the leasing of Hospital District property to private developers.

Hospital District board members extend their own terms of office

It was probably even legal to do so.

The HuntsvillanSteph Mamber

A dangerous place to walk

Why don't Sam Houston State University students walk to class more often? Dangerous intersections and poor lighting at night are two big reasons.

A dangerous place to walk

The area surrounding Sam Houston State University can be hazardous to pedestrians.

The HuntsvillanSteph Mamber

Sidewalks to nowhere: the tricky business of getting around Huntsville on foot

Huntsville can be unfriendly to pedestrians, and the city and county's funding strategy doesn't help the situation.

Sidewalks to nowhere: the tricky business of getting around Huntsville on foot

The experts had their say. What did the city do?

The HuntsvillanSteph Mamber

Hospital District largely silent on giant tax break for seniors

The $150,000 homestead exemption for senior citizens, one of the largest in the state, took local residents by surprise.

Hospital District largely silent on giant tax break for seniors

The $150,000 homestead exemption is likely one of the largest in the state.

The HuntsvillanSteph Mamber

Huntsville ISD staffing issues approach crisis levels

Most teachers lack substantial experience, and half of those lack state certification – rates far higher than those of neighboring districts. If you are looking for the single biggest problem facing the district, this may be it.

Huntsville ISD staffing issues approach crisis levels

Most teachers lack substantial experience, and half of those lack state certification.

The HuntsvillanSteph Mamber

In comparative terms, hospital bond proposal spends tax dollars bigly

Possibly the nail in the coffin of the Walker County Hospital District's proposed hospital bond, this article showed how unusual it was compared to similar counties in our area. Still our most widely-read article.

Walker County Hospital Bond Proposal Is High Tax

The bond is larger, and uses more tax dollars, than bonds issued by comparable hospital districts.

The HuntsvillanSteph Mamber