Past Contributions

• Feds Reject Texas' Request to Delay Insurance Reform

  By Becca Aaronson Jan. 27, 2012

  The federal government has rejected Texas' request to delay implementation of a health reform rule that could force some insurers to give premium refunds to customers. Full Story 

• TWIA Board Approves Third-Party Financial Review

  By Becca Aaronson Jan. 26, 2012

  Despite opposition from state Rep. Larry Taylor, who co-chairs the Windstorm Insurance Legislative Oversight Board, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association's board decided today to hire a third party to assess its financial structure. Full Story 

• Interactive: Who Are the Uninsured in Texas?

  By Becca Aaronson Jan. 26, 2012

  There were 5.7 million Texans — nearly a quarter of the population — who lacked health insurance in 2010, according to the latest American Community Survey data. This visualization shows you who the uninsured are in Texas. It's not always who you'd expect. Full Story 

• Updated Interactive: Comparing the GOP Presidential Contenders

  By Becca Aaronson Jan. 25, 2012

  Gov. Rick Perry is no longer in the running, but the race continues for the four remaining Republican presidential contenders. We've updated our interactive to compare the candidates still vying for the GOP nomination. Full Story 

• Interactive: Texas Economy by Region, December 2011

  By Becca Aaronson Jan. 24, 2012

  The unemployment rate in Texas dropped significantly at the end of 2011. Check out the annual industry changes in Texas' major metropolitan areas and the unemployment rate in each county with this updated interactive map. Full Story 

• Texas Economy Improving; Unemployment Rate Low

  By Becca Aaronson Jan. 20, 2012

  Texas’ unemployment rate — 7.8 percent — is the lowest it’s been since July 2009, when the recession was just heating up, according to employment statistics released by the Texas Workforce Commission today. Full Story 

• State Employment Continues to Shrink

  By Becca Aaronson Jan. 20, 2012

  Texas cut nearly 8,000 state jobs over the last year, according to a new report from the state auditor's office. Use this interactive to compare how the $15 billion in cuts passed by lawmakers in the last session has affected state-funded organizations within each article of the budget. Full Story 

• The Rise and Fall of Rick Perry's Presidential Bid

  By Emily Ramshaw, Ryan Murphy, Becca Aaronson, Christopher Chang and Noah Seger Jan. 19, 2012

  From debates and campaign stops to TV ads and parodies, here’s an interactive look at the rise and fall of Rick Perry’s presidential bid and his corresponding placement in the polls. Full Story 

• Who Will Be Hiring Texans in 2018?

  By Reeve Hamilton and Becca Aaronson Jan. 19, 2012

  With a push being made to better align the state's higher-education output with its workforce needs, we’ve put together interactive graphs and a database of what those needs will actually be in the year 2018. Full Story 

• Border Coalition: Security Strategy Falling Short

  By Julián Aguilar and Becca Aaronson Jan. 18, 2012

  After narcotics seizures surged 45 percent in 2010, the Laredo Customs District saw a relatively minimal increase in contraband intercepted at its ports in 2011. But others aren't sure the federal government should applaud so loudly about the Laredo district figures, saying efforts on the whole are still lacking. Full Story