Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar didn’t provide details as he told lawmakers Monday that the financial forecast isn’t as dire as earlier feared. But he said revenues are still down “significantly” compared with last year.
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
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas shut down bars to slow the spread of coronavirus — but allowed thousands to open through a restaurant loophole
As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations balloon, public health experts and local officials worry the loopholes are one reason behind the recent rise.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
El Paso County judge says new “partial” curfew doesn’t conflict with statewide coronavirus orders
The restrictions on social gatherings begin Wednesday and last through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
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Economy
Texas unemployment rate falls to 6.9% in October, a sign of slow and uneven economic recovery
A new wave of coronavirus infections this month could further set back the state’s economic recovery, while Gov. Greg Abbott has ruled out “any more lockdowns.”
Posted in
Economy
As Trump campaign challenges election results, El Paso has a different question: Where is our money?
El Paso is one of several Texas cities facing budget shortfalls because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately affected the border area. The president’s team still owes the city a 2-year-old debt of more than half a million dollars.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Appeals court again halts El Paso County’s shutdown of nonessential businesses
The 8th Court of Appeals urged the county judge and a group of local restaurants to find some middle ground on coronavirus restrictions that don’t violate Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide mandate.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Appeals court temporarily stops El Paso business shutdown
A state district judge permitted the El Paso shutdown to stand last week pending a final resolution of the case, but the 8th Court of Appeals paused the shutdown until a final decision is made. That could come as soon as Friday.
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Economy
A controversial rule limiting housing options for homeless Texans with criminal records was softened, but it still worries advocates
The regulation applies to new supportive housing projects, which provide subsidized homes and social services. Gov. Greg Abbott still needs to approve the rule by Dec. 1.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
As Texas Republicans center campaigns on city crime, anti-police brutality activists say the party’s messaging is racist
GOP campaign ads paint cities as lawless places and Democrats as enablers of crime. But people pushing for criminal justice reform say those portrayals sidestep the systemic racism that prompted this year’s protests against police brutality.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Texas Democrats think a seat on the oil and gas regulating board could be their best chance of winning statewide in two decades
With attention on Texas races up and down the ballot, a virtually unknown Republican candidate and big-time donations to the Democratic nominee, Democrats think they have a shot of winning a seat on the Railroad Commission.
