Border communities struggle to keep younger, educated residents when larger cities dangle economic and quality-of-life opportunities. They’re afflicted with the reputation of being black holes of talent — where escape is necessary in order to prosper.
Economy
Get the latest on jobs, business, growth, and policy shaping the state’s economy with in-depth reporting from The Texas Tribune.
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Economy
It’s Still the Economy, Stupid
Sales taxes are down and the recession in Texas hasn’t bottomed, so financial concerns will almost certainly factor into the governor’s race. Ben Philpott, covering that contest for KUT News and the Tribune, takes a look.
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Economy
Economic Campaigning
Texas budget writers are hoping December will ring in stronger retail sales — after getting the news Friday that sales tax collections were down 14 percent from this November to last. The state’s economy is always a hot topic in the governor’s race. Ben Philpott is covering the Texas governor’s race for KUT News and the Texas Tribune. He takes a look at how the economy’s playing so far.
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Economy
Audio: Cap and Tirade
Rick Perry attacked the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision yesterday to declare carbon dioxide a public danger, arguing that the ruling lacks scientific evidence. The EPA’s move could propel the cost of carbon reduction onto the list of issues in play in the governor’s race.
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Economy
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
It was a political week, with a full-court press from our staff on Bill White’s switch to the governor’s race and all of the fallout; the moves during the first week of filing for political races; Philpott’s look at Republicans challenging Republicans; Hu’s latest in the popular Stump Interrupted series; Ramshaw on emergency rooms, family doctors, and child protection; Stiles and Grissom mapping payday lending locations juxtaposed with family income data; Rapoport on the state budget and education; Thevenot on KBH’s plans for schools; and Hamilton on the power (or not) of political endorsements. The best of the best from November 28 to December 4, 2009.
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Economy
2010: Ogden Will Seek Another Term
State Sen. Steve Ogden, who said earlier this year he would leave the Legislature after his current term, will seek another two years in office after all. And he may have drawn the first primary opponent of his political career.
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Economy
Grading KBH’s Education Plans
Education has emerged as one of the more contentious fronts in the gubernatorial campaign, with Kay Bailey Hutchison this week releasing a barrage of school proposals and attacks on the status quo. But the differences between the candidates have more to do with execution than with design.
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Criminal Justice
The Brief: December 1, 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen, step right up for your chance to see the incredible, shrinking Rainy Day Fund.
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Economy
Cloudy with a Chance of Money
The Rainy Day Fund seems like weather word play waiting to happen. It can plug holes in the budget, defend against an economic perfect storm and keep the deficit clouds at bay. That’s certainly how some see it when looking at the next biennium’s projected shortfalls.
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Economy
Stymied by Stimulus?
The stimulus money increased funding for education last session. But can the state keep it up next session without more federal money?