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.
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
Economy
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
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.
Posted in
Economy
Texas Economy Gains Jobs, Even in Government
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.
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Economy
Bill Ratliff, Free to Speak His Mind, Tackles Budget
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.
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Inside Intelligence
Inside Intelligence: About Economic Development…
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.
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Economy
Conservative Budget Coalition Targets 2013 Session
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.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Gets a D+ in Public Integrity Study
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.
Posted inEconomy, State Government
Interactive: Texas’ Economy Bounces Back
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.
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Economy
State Spends Big to Pay Outgoing Workers for Unused Vacation Time
State agencies have paid fired or resigning state employees more than $500 million in unused vacation time over the last decade.
Posted in
Economy
Tax Breaks for Sporting Events Raise Questions
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.
