Past Contributions

• In Third Debate, Perry Prepared But Stumbles

  By Emily Ramshaw, Ryan Murphy, Becca Aaronson and Jay Root Sept. 22, 2011

  Gov. Rick Perry headed into his third Republican presidential debate with a lot to prove. He left with a mixed bag. Full Story 

• In Galveston, an Intriguing Alternative to the "Ponzi Scheme"

  By Becca Aaronson Sept. 18, 2011

  Gov. Rick Perry calls Social Security a “Ponzi scheme” and says people ought to control their own retirement money. But if the social safety net created in 1935 were eliminated what might take its place? In Galveston, a possible answer. Full Story 

• Texas Reports Increased Jobless Rate

  By Becca Aaronson Sept. 16, 2011

  The shining Texas jobs miracle that Gov. Rick Perry is touting on the presidential campaign trail may be dimming, according to statistics released today by the Texas Workforce Commission. Texas lost 1,300 jobs in August, marking the first month of employment decline in Texas in almost a year. Full Story 

• Fact-Checking Romney's Claims About Texas Jobs

  By Becca Aaronson Sept. 8, 2011

  Mitt Romney says Rick Perry has "substantially underperformed his predecessors on job creation” and that the state's unemployment rate has doubled on his watch. Is Romney right? Full Story 

• On the Records: FEMA's Wildfire Spending

  By Becca Aaronson Sept. 7, 2011

  As wildfires continue to sweep across the state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized seven more grants to help Texas manage the flames. Although the figures for the grants given to Texas after June are not yet available, the Tribune has a look at the $3.8 billion FEMA has given Texas to mitigate disasters. Full Story 

• Interactive: Comparing the Leading GOP Presidential Contenders

  By Becca Aaronson, Christopher Chang and Ben Hasson Sept. 6, 2011

  Compare Rick Perry to other leading Republican presidential candidates on everything from their personal histories and governing experience to their stances on gay marriage and immigration. Full Story 

• What's Different About the Border Economy?

  By Becca Aaronson Sept. 1, 2011

  On the national stage, Texas' economy is its best selling point. But this so-called "Texas Miracle" doesn't extend statewide: In the border region, unemployment reaches as high as 13.2 percent, and the median income is 30 percent lower than the statewide average. Full Story 

• Interactive: The Texas Economy by Region

  By Becca Aaronson Aug. 29, 2011

  These interactive maps will give you a closer look at the unemployment rates, the number of jobs created or lost over the last year and the median annual income of the metropolitan regions in Texas. Full Story 

• Miracle or Mirage, What Kinds of Jobs Has Texas Created?

  By Becca Aaronson Aug. 29, 2011

  The debate over whether job creation in Texas economy is a "mirage" or a "miracle" raises several questions: What jobs do Texans commonly hold right now? How much do those jobs pay? And what jobs is Texas creating? Full Story 

• Perry Claims Texas Teaches Creationism in Public Schools

  By Becca Aaronson Aug. 18, 2011

  Gov. Rick Perry told a child questioner in New Hampshire today that Texas public schools teach creationism alongside evolution — a statement that state education experts are refuting in varying degrees. Full Story