The latest economy news from The Texas Tribune.
Nearly half of registered Texas voters support legalization of marijuana for any use in some quantities, and nearly three in 10 would legalize it for medicinal use only, according to the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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While customs officers on the border have their hands full searching for heroin, marijuana and other drugs, at least once a year they face another foe with the potential to wreak havoc on the country's economy: flowers. Full Story
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When Texas legalized brewpubs in 1993, the owners could only sell their product on-site. That changed in June with the implementation of the largest overhaul of the craft beer industry in two decades. Full Story
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Should Texas overhaul its electricity market? And if so, how much would it cost? A highly anticipated report has shed some light on those questions amid an increasingly contentious debate. Full Story
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In Texas, 49.8 percent of households lack enough savings to pay for three months of basic expenses in case of a crisis such as a job loss, according to a new study. Full Story
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At Thursday's TribLive conversation, Debra Medina, a candidate for Texas comptroller in 2014, talked about a possible shift away from property taxes and toward sales taxes — and the implications for the state budget. Full Story
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Full video of my 1/30 TribLive interview with Debra Medina, a candidate for Texas comptroller in 2014. Full Story
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As the utilities and big energy users spar in Austin over how to best encourage the building of power plants, another important issue that is getting less public attention is about how Texas can curb its energy use. Full Story
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Companies that exist only to collect dormant patents and then sue for infringement are a growing threat to firms, but both businesses and lawmakers are beginning to take action. Full Story
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In the next few years, about 40 percent of the employees at the state’s largest nuclear power plant will be eligible for retirement, so the company is racing to recruit new specialists. Full Story
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As Texas’ rapid growth continues to be fueled by an increase in the Hispanic population, Hispanic and black Texans are likely to keep lagging socioeconomically behind whites, leading to a poorer and less competitive state, according to a new book. Full Story
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The Texas Oil and Gas Association, the state’s largest and oldest petroleum organization, has told regulators it opposes an overhaul of the wholesale energy market. Full Story
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The Houston City Council on Wednesday approved changes to its building code requiring that new homes be more energy efficient. Full Story
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The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday grappled with the concept of underground trespassing as it heard oral arguments in a groundwater case that the oil and gas industry says could significantly impact production. Full Story
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After a contentious town hall meeting concerning the possible links between wastewater injection and a spate of North Texas earthquakes, locals say they cannot afford to wait for state regulators to address the issue. Full Story
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More Texans are leaving farming and ranching because of opportunities in urban areas, increased land prices and concerns about weather patterns fueled by drought. Full Story
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The Texas Food Bank Network has expanded Hunters for the Hungry, a program that helps hunters donate healthy venison to hungry families. Full Story
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Oil and gas production, pipelines, the Railroad Commission and questions about Texas’ energy grid all grabbed headlines in 2013. Full Story
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A growing number of North Texas mineral owners — including the cities of Arlington and Fort Worth — are suing oil and gas companies, alleging that they have been shortchanged millions of dollars in royalty payments. Full Story
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Transportation officials see emerging technologies playing a role in helping address issues like traffic safety. A new report stresses the need for the state to consider partnering with the private sector on certain initiatives. Full Story
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