The latest economy news from The Texas Tribune.
Only 18% of Texas voters say they're better off than they were 12 months ago. A year ago, twice as many said they and their families were better off than before, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4d153941c2698691aa4d831216343ec5/UT-TT%20Personal%20Finances%20TT.jpg)
Abbott’s order will leave it to business owners to decide whether to require customers wear masks inside their establishments. Some say they will keep coronavirus restrictions in place, but some business owners worry those decisions could anger potential customers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1d19aba32dce8c5491b234d18453d083/Austin%20COVID%20Restaurants%20REUTERS%20TT%2002.jpg)
Texas voters also think the state spends too little on mental health, and public education, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/83e0671ef088233c44f659119f483e64/UT-TT%20Legislature.jpg)
The perceived risks of most activities haven't changed, but Texas voters are warming to the idea of sending their kids back to public schools, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1196e5338076ebb22908808d15c9aa8d/UT-TT%20Pandemic%20Life.jpg)
The surge of COVID-19 cases from October to January got a response from Texas voters: Their concerns about the spread of the virus increased, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dbac1134480505c0aa138b3c1a05bd7a/UT-TT%20COVID-19.jpg)
The provision to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour isn't likely to make it through the Senate. But the package the House passed offers a blueprint for what is expected to be a staggering round of government spending. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8b9c3ca547a11791b0fdfa3a0bb1c7ec/US%20Capitol%20Hill%20Congress%20REUTERS%20TT%2001)
Debbie Gosnell, city manager of Cross Plains, said it could take months for her community to recover from the winter storm. Without approval for federal aid, Gosnell worries the town's budget will not cover the numerous broken pipes and damaged buildings. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fcf206a66388ae1c9936b9923942f730/TheBriefPodcast_CMS%20Feb%2026.jpg)
Many hourly wage employees across the state lost working hours last week during the storm and power outage disaster. Now, they’re left with a choice between paying for rent or groceries. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c40408e38adeedf0727662e7a46c3b60/ATX%20Snow%20Storm%20Day%203%20MG%20TT%2005.jpg)
Griddy made headlines for sending massive bills to customers after a winter storm sent wholesale electricity skyrocketing. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/646535c4b955ef4e0f85a16b87d158c0/Winter%20Storm%20McKinney%20ST%20TT%2006.jpg)
Texas lawmakers have questioned and criticized the Electric Reliability Council of Texas for days about the near-collapse of the state’s power grid last week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5d612b7d24f088f47ecb895357c5d923/ATX%20Snowstorm%20Feb%2017%20MG%20TT%2023.jpg)
The judge opted against issuing an injunction that would block the federal ban on evictions, instead signaling that he expected the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to withdraw its moratorium. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a4354a8c353f12308e6f721a1ad48693/Housing%20file%20SK%20TT%2002.jpg)
Lawmakers will continue asking a litany of officials and executives how last week's power outages happened. Legislators in both chambers spent more than 12 hours investigating the disruptions Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/35e1657aabc96e7bb8b90a423b6f5452/Capitol%20Opening%20Day%20JV%20TT%2012.jpg)
A longstanding shortage of plumbers and disruptions to the supply chain of plumbing materials delivered to the state have combined to delay pipe and water heater repairs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/37ca07d2eb50f1194c02fc9ce1bcb3f7/Austin%20Plumbing%20JV%20TT%2020.jpg)
Rural counties endured the same storm as big cities, but many haven't fallen under President Joe Biden's major disaster declaration. Officials say it's because those counties lack data on damages. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/69509179fee22dfee12755886f39bf23/Rural%20TX%20Winter%20Storm%20SV%20TT%2010.jpg)
Lawmakers and analysts say it is too soon for an exact estimate, but the financial damage from the storm has left state lawmakers scrambling to account for the storm in the middle of the 2021 legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3ed3f50e4b6f8086c7998e8a094145f6/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20JV%20Feb%2016%20TT%2032.jpg)
Plumbers and supplies to fix broken pipes are in high demand, but apartment complexes also present more difficulties than single-family homes when it comes to repairs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/907207e1ba951ac55433a28bd1a423ce/Regency%20Water%20Crisis%20EL%20TT%2011.jpg)
The historic winter storm wiped out most of South Texas' citrus crop and halted dairy processing in the Panhandle for days. Consumers will likely continue seeing short-term shortages, producers say. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/82821c8bce4ae49c1adc7302c7b10874/RGV%20Citrus%20Freeze%20JG%20TT%2003.jpg)
For lack of heat and water, people died last week — in the great state of Texas and in their own homes — who would be alive right now, had the state taken heed of recommendations made after past winter storms and blackouts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/01b0fc3e41d64225375a5c86437a6e88/Seton%20Hospital%20EL%20TT%2010.jpg)
Texas sustained between $45 and $50 billion in damage and economic loss from the storm, according to AccuWeather. So far, people in more than 100 counties can begin applying for federal assistance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ae511190e46b8691b7d9962e1e770742/HTX%20Winter%20Storm%20Feb%2019%20MYL%2010.jpeg)
Electric bills are likely to rise for everyone, experts and consumer advocates say, but some Texans on variable rate contracts have been hit with immediate, massive price spikes. Lawmakers and the governor have promised to help, but haven't said how. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e8cf6f0de4f70260b84688f81d5a0443/Karen%20Knox%20-%20High%20Bills%20ST%20TT%2002.jpg)