Gov. Rick Perry headed into his third Republican presidential debate with a lot to prove. He left with a mixed bag.
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 inState Government
In Galveston, an Intriguing Alternative to the “Ponzi Scheme”
Gov. Rick Perry calls Social Security a “Ponzi scheme” and says people ought to control their own retirement money. But if the social safety net created in 1935 were eliminated what might take its place? In Galveston, a possible answer.
Posted in
Economy
Texas Reports Increased Jobless Rate
The shining Texas jobs miracle that Gov. Rick Perry is touting on the presidential campaign trail may be dimming, according to statistics released today by the Texas Workforce Commission. Texas lost 1,300 jobs in August, marking the first month of employment decline in Texas in almost a year.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Fact-Checking Romney’s Claims About Texas Jobs
Mitt Romney says Rick Perry has “substantially underperformed his predecessors on job creation” and that the state’s unemployment rate has doubled on his watch. Is Romney right?
Posted in
Criminal Justice
On the Records: FEMA’s Wildfire Spending
As wildfires continue to sweep across the state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized seven more grants to help Texas manage the flames. Although the figures for the grants given to Texas after June are not yet available, the Tribune has a look at the $3.8 billion FEMA has given Texas to mitigate disasters.
Posted inState Government
Interactive: Comparing the Leading GOP Presidential Contenders
Compare Rick Perry to other leading Republican presidential candidates on everything from their personal histories and governing experience to their stances on gay marriage and immigration.
Posted in
Demographics
What’s Different About the Border Economy?
On the national stage, Texas’ economy is its best selling point. But this so-called “Texas Miracle” doesn’t extend statewide: In the border region, unemployment reaches as high as 13.2 percent, and the median income is 30 percent lower than the statewide average.
Posted inEconomy
Interactive: The Texas Economy by Region
These interactive maps will give you a closer look at the unemployment rates, the number of jobs created or lost over the last year and the median annual income of the metropolitan regions in Texas.
Posted in
Economy
Miracle or Mirage, What Kinds of Jobs Has Texas Created?
The debate over whether job creation in Texas economy is a “mirage” or a “miracle” raises several questions: What jobs do Texans commonly hold right now? How much do those jobs pay? And what jobs is Texas creating?
Posted in
Public Education
Perry Claims Texas Teaches Creationism in Public Schools
Gov. Rick Perry told a child questioner in New Hampshire today that Texas public schools teach creationism alongside evolution — a statement that state education experts are refuting in varying degrees.
