On this week’s TribCast, Alexa talks to Matthew, Emma and Ross about the state’s recently released guidance for the upcoming elections, the reopening of water parks and the economic devastation faced by Texas workers.
COVID-19 Recession in Texas
The coronavirus pandemic has steered the Texas economy into a recession as the state’s unemployment rate remains high and many businesses struggle to survive. Several sources of government and nonprofit aid have either expired or dried up. Economists say the ongoing public health crisis will slow the recovery for individual Texans, business owners and entire industries. For the latest news on this topic, sign up for our weekly economy newsletter and follow energy and economy reporter Mitchell Ferman on Twitter.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Some Texas hospitals continued to sue patients for unpaid medical bills during the coronavirus pandemic
Hundreds of debt collection lawsuits have been filed since Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster because of COVID-19 in mid-March, according to the Health Care Research and Policy Team at Johns Hopkins University.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
As Texas’ unemployment rate hits record high 12.8%, experts say the ongoing public health crisis will hamper an economic rebound
Until now, the state’s worst-ever monthly unemployment rate was 9.2% in November 1986, as Texas reeled from the last big oil bust. A combination of the coronavirus pandemic and a contracting energy industry are expected to slow Texas’ economic recovery.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas families filing for SNAP food assistance almost doubled in April
Texas received a staggering 417,468 applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program last month, a sharp increase from March’s already high number of requests.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas businesses returning during coronavirus are unlikely to spur fast economic recovery
As workers and customers reemerge into a society still grappling with a spreading coronavirus, the power Gov. Greg Abbott and officials across the globe used to close businesses in the first place does not extend to reviving the economy.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott instructs state agencies to trim budgets by 5% to prepare for “economic shock”
Some state agencies are exempt from the cuts, including the Department of State Health Services, the Texas Workforce Commission and the Department of Public Safety.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
“It’s a bizarre time to be job searching”: College graduates looking for first jobs face catastrophic economic conditions
As 2020 college graduates prepare to enter the workforce, they are having to contend with a historic economic recession. Experts say those who do get jobs in the recession may accept lower wages and salaries than they’d have otherwise settled for.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Renters prepare for tough choices as eviction proceedings resume in Texas
Unemployment has disproportionately affected renters since the crisis began. Advocates fear displacement and an increase in homelessness.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas had plans to replace its outdated unemployment system. The coronavirus pandemic hit first.
The Texas Workforce Commission had finally lined up enough federal money to move the system — built in the 1990s — to the cloud. But before that happened, nearly 2 million suddenly unemployed Texans overwhelmed the old system.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
As Texas reopens for business, this San Antonio teen is scared about the risks of working as a restaurant hostess
In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, listen to the 17-year-old describe the backlash she says she faced from customers when enforcing the governor’s social distancing guidelines.