In a speech in downtown Austin on Thursday, President Obama largely avoided discussion of the ongoing immigration troubles in Texas, and instead talked about economic progress made under his watch.
Economy
Get the latest on jobs, business, growth, and policy shaping the state’s economy with in-depth reporting from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Falling Behind
As Texas Traffic Forecasts Worsen, Some Worry of a Drag on State Economy
The population of Texas could nearly double by 2050, prompting some to worry that not enough is being done to avoid a future traffic nightmare and the drag on the economy that could come with it.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Work Safety Hotline Upgraded
More than 20 years after the Texas Legislature passed a law establishing a 24-hour work safety hotline, real people are answering the telephone calls around the clock.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, Demographics, Economy, Health care, Immigration
Series: Hurting for Work
Here’s a look back at our four-part Hurting for Work project, a series on how disdain for government regulation sparked a “Texas miracle” economy — while tearing down protections for the workers who built it.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, Demographics, Economy, Health care, Immigration, State Government
Injured Workers are Casualties of the Texas Economic “Miracle”
Here is a list of more than 2,000 Texans who died on the job and the stories of seven employees who sustained serious workplace injuries. Their experiences underscore the investigative findings of our “Hurting for Work” series.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, Economy, Health care, State Government
The Widow vs. the Insurer: A Wife’s Fight for Her Family’s Future
Crystal Davis’ nightmare didn’t end when her husband died in a traffic accident on the way to work. Her husband’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier has sued her and her children to deny them the benefits she thought would protect them.
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Economy
Calif. Lawmaker Returns the Favor With Job-Recruiting Trip to Texas
Following Gov. Rick Perry’s travels to Sacramento earlier this month to promote Texas’ business climate, a California state senator has returned the favor.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, Demographics, Economy, Health care, Immigration, State Government
After Catastrophic Fall, Fight of One Worker’s Life
When Santiago Arias fell off of an industrial warehouse roof, an expert hired by his attorney called his job site one of the most hazardous he’d seen in 40 years as a safety engineer. But advocates for injured workers say Arias’ case is far from unique.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, Demographics, Economy, Health care, Immigration, State Government
Behind the Texas Miracle, a Broken System for State’s Broken Workers
When Texans get hurt or killed on the job, they have some of the weakest protections and stingiest benefits in the country. Texas is the only U.S. state that doesn’t require any private employer to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
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Economy
PUC Rejects Petition Targeting Small Electric Generators
UPDATED: The Texas Public Utility Commission on Friday unanimously rejected a petition to overturn its “small fish, swim free” rule, which gives small electricity generators an absolute defense against allegations of market power abuse.
