The latest economy news from The Texas Tribune.
With the state government tightening its belt, there are now 10,200 fewer state government employees, according to our latest analysis of data collected by the state auditor’s office. Full Story
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Democrats see the governor as wounded and unpopular, and the more he becomes an issue in the 2012 elections, the happier they are. He has become their favorite whipping post and fundraising foil. Full Story
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As Nathan Bernier of KUT News reports, most of the Texas students identified as homeless by their school districts are ineligible for federal aid because of mixed definitions of what it means to be homeless. Full Story
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Amazon.com will start collecting sales taxes from Texas customers and invest $200 million and create 2,500 jobs in the state over the next four years. In return, the state will drop its efforts to collect back taxes from the company. Full Story
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Lawmakers used money from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund to balance their budget, and now the fund is short of money. Full Story
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Two House committees held a joint hearing today to explore how scientific research at universities can be commercialized for the benefit of businesses and the state economy. They heard testimony from the state's leading research universities. Full Story
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Amazon.com and the state are working on a deal to get the online retailer to pay sales tax and create jobs in Texas, reviving talks that fell apart at the end of last year's legislative session. Full Story
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There's another positive report on the Texas economy: 10,900 jobs were added in March, and the unemployment rate dropped to 7 percent from 8 percent last year, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Full Story
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Ben, Evan, Ross and Emily talk about races to watch in the fast-approaching primary, Gov. Rick Perry's budget compact announcement and the Planned Parenthood merger. And Evan hears from some special birthday guests. Full Story
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When Walmart, one of Texas’ largest private employers, dropped out of the state’s workers’ compensation system, it was a heavy blow to advocates of the system who have watched more large companies offer private injury benefits. Full Story
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Aaronson interactively maps Texas Medicaid providers, Aguilar talks legalization with the head of the Drug Policy Alliance, Galbraith on farmers watering what they know won't grow, Grisson sits down with exoneree Michael Morton, Hamilton on the elusive $10,000 college degree, Murphy et al. update the 2012 election brackets, Ramsey on Bill Ratliff's frank budget analysis, Ramshaw on a hospital where the overweight need not apply, Root on Joe Straus' primary opponent and Tan rounds up reactions to the Supreme Court's health care hearings: The best of our best content from March 26-30, 2012. Full Story
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The Texas economy continued its upward climb in February, gaining 27,900 jobs while the unemployment rate dropped slightly, from 7.3 percent to 7.1 percent. Even government jobs grew. Full Story
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A Republican former lieutenant governor laments the cuts in public education spending and the Legislature's reliance on borrowing and accounting tricks to balance the state budget. Full Story
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For this week's nonscientific survey of political and government insiders, we asked about the state's infrastructure problems, about tax incentives for a cash-rich company and about the economic effects of Texas vs. the EPA. Full Story
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Looking to get an early start on shaping the budget discussions for the 2013 legislative session, the Texans for a Conservative Budget Coalition has made recommendations to lawmakers. Full Story
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Texas has scored a 68 out of 100, placing 27th in a national state integrity study. The state got high marks for auditing and for monitoring pension funds, but not as high for accountability of the governor and legislators. Full Story
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Since Texas' lowest dip in the recession, the state has added nearly 500,000 jobs. This interactive explores how the economy has changed by industry and region. Full Story
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State agencies have paid fired or resigning state employees more than $500 million in unused vacation time over the last decade. Full Story
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Critics are questioning the use of state money they say is being spent to attract sporting events that originated in Texas and don’t appear to be leaving anytime soon. Full Story
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Still on the track to recovery, Texas added 67,200 jobs in January. For the 18th consecutive month employment in the state has grown. In 2011, the state gained a total of 258,200 jobs. Full Story