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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
COVID-19 Recession in Texas
Jobless Texans will lose all federal unemployment benefits, including extra weekly $300, after Gov. Greg Abbott opts out of the program
The extra $300 federal benefit will end June 26 for jobless Texans. Abbott also cut off another federal benefit that extended aid to gig workers, self-employed people and others who aren’t traditionally covered by unemployment insurance.
Posted in
University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
Analysis: Those Texans ignoring social distancing guidelines? They’re probably not vaccinated
Polling suggests that along with an increasing number of vaccinated people without masks, there will be many others who are unmasked but unvaccinated — posing a public health hazard to themselves and to other unvaccinated people with whom they come into contact.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Legislature approves bill to ban residential wholesale electricity plans — the first major winter storm bill sent to the governor
Time is running out on a slate of other bills lawmakers are considering that stem from February’s deadly winter storm.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Texas law now allows alcohol to go from restaurants after Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill
House Bill 1024 allows beer, wine and mixed drinks to be included in pickup and delivery food orders, securing a revenue stream made available to restaurants during the pandemic when their dining areas were forced to close.
Posted in
University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
Texas voters are as concerned about border security as about the pandemic, UT/TT Poll finds
Reflecting both the crisis on the border and continued improvement in key pandemic measurements and increasing numbers of vaccinations, Texas voters’ top concerns have shifted to the state’s border with Mexico.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Senate approves overhaul of pension plans for new state employees
Senate Bill 321 would also authorize yearly payments to shore up $14.7 billion in unfunded pension obligations.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas lawmakers send Greg Abbott a bill that would allow Texans to purchase alcohol to go from restaurants
House Bill 1024 would allow beer, wine and mixed drinks to be included in pickup and delivery food orders, securing a revenue stream made available to restaurants in the last year during the pandemic.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Gender-affirming medical treatment for transgender kids would be considered child abuse under Texas Senate bill
The upper chamber Wednesday passed Senate Bill 1646, which is among several other bills that advocacy groups say erode the rights of transgender Texans. But it’s unclear what the legislation’s chances are in the House.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
House votes to ban school vouchers, cap attorney general spending as part of its proposed $246 billion state budget
House members filed nearly 240 proposed tweaks to the massive spending plan and spent hours taking votes on controversial issues ranging from Medicaid expansion to school vouchers.