Illustration by Todd Wiseman
An Accurate Reading

Rick Perry asserts the Texas economy is one of the strongest in the nation. Bill White eagerly points out what he says are the problems the governor conveniently overlooks. Who’s right? Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune looks at how we stack up compared to other states — and our own history.

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Ben Philpott is a senior reporter for KUT-FM, Austin’s National Public Radio affiliate. He has been covering state politics and dozens of other topics for the station since 2002, during which time he...