Texas Democrats say the state Department of Insurance’s request for a delay in implementing federal health reform rules could cost Texans $260 million in premium credits and rebates over the next three years.
Becca Aaronson
Becca Aaronson was the first product manager at the Tribune, where she worked from 2010 to 2018. As product manager, Becca managed the Tribune's website redesign, coordinates cross-departmental projects and conducted user research to improve reader experience. She previously worked on the Tribune's data visuals team as a developer and project manager, contributing to several award-winning investigative projects. She covered health care from 2012 to 2014, making waves with her coverage of women's health and the Wendy Davis abortion filibuster.
She has a bachelor’s degree in cultural theory from Scripps College in Claremont, Calif.
Posted inEconomy, Health care
Updated Interactive: Food Stamp Distribution Map
Fewer Texans will receive food stamps in December than in November, but the number is still up overall since 2005 as the national recession continues. Our updated interactive map allows you to explore the number of food stamp recipients in your county and the economic impact of the program.
Posted inEconomy
Interactive: Poverty Rates Rising Across Texas
In 2010, 4.4 million Texans lived below the poverty line, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Tuesday. Poverty has increased in more than 200 counties across Texas since 2007, the year before the recession hit. Use our interactive maps to explore the change in annual poverty rates and the median household income in your county.
Posted inState Government
Interactive: Texas Senators’ 2011 Spending
Texas senators cut their expenses by just 1 percent from August 2010 to 2011 — a total of $101,000. That’s not much compared to more than $1 million they saved in 2010. Use our interactive to find details on senators’ 2011 spending.
Posted inEconomy
Updated Interactive: Texas Economy by Region
This update of our “Texas Economy by Region” interactive map compares the unemployment rate from 2010 to 2011 in each county to determine whether the economy has improved or declined. We’ve also included a map of Texas cities with pop-ups that show industry changes from 2010 to 2011.
Posted in
Economy
Texas Unemployment Rate Drops in October
The Texas unemployment rate dropped only slightly this month from 8.5 percent to 8.4 percent, according to statistics released by the Texas Workforce Commission today. But the state’s economy is not performing as well as it was this time last year. And as the national economy has improved, the Texas economy has lagged.
Posted inHealth care
Number of Texans on Food Stamps Up Sharply Amid Recession
The number of Texans receiving food aid has increased by nearly 1.4 million in the last four years. Use this interactive to see the percentage of each county’s population that receives food assistance and the economic impact of the federal funds.
Posted in
State Government
Taylor Apologizes for Telling TWIA “Don’t Jew Them Down”
State Rep. Larry Taylor, at a legislative hearing Thursday concerning the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, used the slur “Jew them down” when making the point that it needs to pay claims on time. He has since apologized.
Posted inEconomy, Higher Education, Public Education
Interactive: Budget Cuts Continue to Shrink Texas State Government
This interactive shows the dramatic drop in employment at Texas state agencies from the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 to the last quarter, right before $15 billion in cuts to the 2012-2013 biennium budget kicked in Sept. 1.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
How Do TxDOT’s New Salaries Compare to Other State Agencies?
TxDOT’s plan to hire five new executives — each paid up to at least $250,000 annually — has received heavy criticism. How do the salaries compare to those at other public entities? We checked our government salary database to find out.
