COVID-19 Recession in Texas

We sat down for an interview with Hegar to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Texas' economy and the challenges the Legislature will face when setting the two-year budget. Full Story 

The coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices are driving down projected general revenue in the state's current budget by more than $11 billion. Full Story 

Texas' June unemployment rate fell to 8.6% — but experts say the improvement may be short-lived with recent surges in coronavirus hospitalizations and deaths. Full Story 

Distillery, winery and some restaurant owners say their businesses are different from traditional bars, which Abbott closed after COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations began to climb in June. Full Story 

The pandemic-driven economic downturn has left more than 5.4 million Americans with no job and no insurance. Texas has one of the largest shares of this increase. Full Story 

A Texas Workforce Commission spokesperson said he was previously unaware that a judicial order bars the state from recovering funds when the overpayment is the agency's fault. Full Story 

The claims — an increase of 21.4% compared with the week before — come as coronavirus infections in the state continue surging and after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered bars to close and limited restaurant operations. Full Story 

Schools said they used the money to make payroll. Full Story 

The federal government released the names Monday of 51,250 companies and organizations in Texas that received the loans, which were designed to keep the economy afloat during the coronavirus. Full Story 

The Texas Workforce Commission said that incorrect filings and fraud can lead to overpayments, but the money must be paid back even if it was the state's mistake. Full Story 

For the past two months, the number of people filing claims in Texas has trended downward. But last week, the number of people who filed for claims increased 7% over the previous week. Full Story 

While collections from restaurants were depressed, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said that take-out and delivery sales, along with online purchases, helped buoy revenue in the restaurant and retail sectors. Full Story 

The bar owners say in the lawsuit that Abbott's order violates their constitutional rights and "may very well leave long-term scarring on the Republican form of government if left unchecked." Full Story 

The Texas Workforce Commission had been planning to reinstate the requirement July 6 but is now holding off due to a rise in coronavirus cases. Full Story 

Abbott has said the actions of his executive order "are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and protect public health." Full Story 

Bars had to shut down by noon Friday after a statewide surge in coronavirus infections that officials said was largely driven by activities like congregating in close spaces. There’s no immediate plan for when they’ll be able to reopen. Full Story 

While cities and legal aid agencies are setting up resources for tenants, many judges explained that they won't be able to consider loss of employment in eviction cases. Full Story 

Texas-based companies need more immigrant labor, not less, business leaders argue. But that doesn’t mean American workers aren’t needed, too. Full Story 

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic, limits on cross-border commerce and a downturn in the energy sector have hit the Rio Grande Valley's economy especially hard. Full Story 

Experts say coronavirus infections and hospitalizations in Texas — which have set new records in recent days — may have the biggest influence on how fast the state's economy recovers. Full Story