economy

Analysis of House Budget Divides Lawmakers

By Thanh Tan March 24, 2011

Lawmakers offered dueling interpretations Thursday of a Legislative Budget Board analysis predicting that the state could lose hundreds of thousands of jobs if the House's budget bill is passed. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
For Seniors in Texas, Hunger on the Rise

By Matt Largey, KUT News March 24, 2011

Hunger, at an all-time high in the U.S., is especially pronounced among seniors, with more than 6 million considered "food insecure." And as Matt Largey of KUT News reports, the problem is growing in Texas. Full Story
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 72

By Reeve Hamilton March 23, 2011

This week's episode of the TribCast features Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben talking mostly about the budget, but also a bit about redistricting and academic research. Full Story
House, Senate Budget Goals Could Lead to Battle

By Thanh Tan March 23, 2011

As the House prepares for a vote on its budget bill, Senate lawmakers are hinting that they're looking to spend more than their counterparts on public education — setting the stage for a budget battle. Full Story
Classrooms A Priority

By Justin Dehn March 23, 2011

Republican senators say the state's budget shortfall will mean educations cuts, but they said schools should focus first on eliminating non-classroom expenses and keeping as many teachers as possible. Full Story
Infographic: The Politics of the Rainy Day Fund

By Thanh Tan and Ben Hasson March 23, 2011

Use our infographic to understand the intent of the Rainy Day Fund, what it takes to draw from that savings account, and the political arguments for and against using it. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Ben Hasson
Who's Watching the Stimulus?

By Reeve Hamilton March 22, 2011

The House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding has expired, and its outspoken leader failed to get re-elected. So, amid all the state's fiscal concerns, who is keeping an eye on the stimulus? Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Inside Intelligence: The Rainy Day Fund Deal Will...

By Ross Ramsey March 21, 2011

For the latest installment of our nonscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked whether the full Legislature will go along with a deal to tap the Rainy Day Fund and about how the budget process will finally work out. Full Story
At South by Southwest, Another Type of British Invasion

By Ben Philpott, KUT News March 15, 2011

Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune sat down with Dominick Chilcott, deputy ambassador for Britain, to talk about what lures companies from across the pond to South by Southwest. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Combs Raises Estimate of State Revenue

By Ross Ramsey March 14, 2011

The state's budget outlook is improving and lawmakers will have more money to spend than they thought, Comptroller Susan Combs said in a letter to legislative leaders today. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Who Will Be Blamed for Big Cuts in School Funding?

By Ross Ramsey March 14, 2011

Who will be blamed for what are expected to be enormous cuts in public education funding? There will be blood. It’s undeniable, especially when the governor goes out of his way to say that he doesn’t have any on his hands. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Inside Intelligence: A Special Session This Summer Is...

By Ross Ramsey March 14, 2011

For the latest installment of our nonscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked whether there will be special sessions this summer and what issues would force lawmakers into overtime. Full Story
Texas Tribune Weekly Rundown

By Justin Dehn and Thanh Tan March 11, 2011

The Texas Tribune's rundown of capitol politics for the week of March 7-11, 2011. Full Story
Job Market Proves Tougher for Workers Over 50

By Matt Largey, KUT News March 9, 2011

The nation’s unemployment rate ticked down last month. But as Matt Largey of KUT News reports, even in Texas, which has fared comparatively well, the job market remains bleak for one group: workers over 50. Full Story
Inside Intelligence: The Consequences of Public Ed Cuts Will Be...

By Ross Ramsey March 7, 2011

For the latest installment of our nonscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked what it would mean to make deep cuts to public education, as proposed by the House, the Senate and the governor. Full Story
Deuell Eyes Rainy Day Fund

By Justin Dehn March 1, 2011

Austin, TX. March 1, 2011 State Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, would rather raise taxes a little bit than make the cuts lawmakers are considering now. Full Story
Deuell: Make Cuts, but Raise Taxes Too

By Ross Ramsey March 1, 2011

State Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, would rather raise taxes a little bit than make the cuts lawmakers are considering now, he told the Tribune this evening. Full Story
Disability Rights Protesters Block Perry's Office

By Justin Dehn and Thanh Tan March 1, 2011

A dozen protestors from disability rights group ADAPT gathered at Gov. Rick Perry's office this afternoon to block the entrances. Organizers say they wont leave until Perry pledges to oppose cuts to community services. Full Story
Disability Advocates: "No Cuts! No Cuts!"

By Brandi Grissom March 1, 2011

Disability advocates gathered at the Capitol today to call on lawmakers to use the Rainy Day Fund, to raise new revenue and, above all else, to not cut community-based services for the disabled. Over and over again the crowd chanted, "No cuts! No cuts!" Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Ross Ramsey Feb. 26, 2011

The best of our best content from Feb. 21 to 25, 2011. Full Story