Experts in the News

OPEC reports that Venezuela's crude output dropped below 2 million barrels per day in October for the first time since 1989. In an interview with Reuters, fellow Francisco Monaldi called the decrease "really extraordinary" and predicted that it is only likely to get worse.

John W. Diamond, director of the Center for Public Finance, explains how Texas residents would be affected by a provision in the new proposed tax reform bill that would reduce the mortgage interest deduction.

Rice Faculty Scholar Jim Blackburn recently spoke at the Baker Institute about his ideas to address Houston's post-hurricane flooding problems.

Through state-owned oil firm Rosneft, Russia has been using oil to leverage its foreign policy interests around the globe. One of its recent targets is Venezuela — a nation in economic and political crisis that has received more than $10 billion in loans from Rosneft over the past three years. “Russia is the only country that can give Venezuela a lifeline to survive through the rest of the year,” said fellow Francisco Monaldi in a New York Times article.

State Rep. Joe Straus, who leads the centrist wing of the Republican Party in the House, announced that he will not seek re-election in 2018. Mark P. Jones, fellow in political science, comments in various news outlets on the ramifications of Straus’ decision for Texas politics.