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Texas

Red Texas is flush, blue California has a deficit, but it's more about economics than politics

by Matt Levin
Jan 11, 2023
Fewer tech millionaires were minted in 2022, hurting California's bottom line, while in Texas, the oil and gas industry boomed.
"Because [California is] a heavy tech economy, it means tech has a disproportionate impact on the state’s revenues," said Chris Hoene at the California Budget & Policy Center. 
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Some Texas school districts are pivoting to a 4-day week

by Bill Zeeble
Oct 31, 2022
One district that has made the move is finding it easier to recruit and hire teachers. But some working parents say it is harder to manage.
The Athens Independent School District launched a three-year pilot program in 2019 as it transitioned to a shorter week with longer days. That schedule is now permanent, and the district isn’t looking back.
Bill Zeeble/KERA
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As the GOP makes inroads with South Texas voters, political ad spending is soaring

by Andy Uhler
Oct 26, 2022
Democrats aren't used to spending in districts that were once a lock for them.
A man wearing a "Latinos for America" t-shirt attends a campaign event for Republican Monica De La Cruz, running for Congress, and US Representative Mayra Flores (R-TX), on October 10, 2022 at the University Drafthouse in Mcallen, Texas.
Allison Dinner/AFP via Getty Images
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Texas redistricting changes how congressional candidates allocate money

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
Oct 26, 2022
Some congressional candidates are doubling down on campaign spending to win over new districts.
"We’re running a full campaign like we did the very first time," says Vicente Gonzalez, who campaigned at an event in Harlingen, Texas, above. "We’ve knocked on over 145,000 doors.”
Nancy Marshall Genzer/Marketplace
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Texas taxpayers shell out millions to defend redistricting maps

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
Oct 25, 2022
The GOP-approved maps have drawn the ire of civil rights groups.
Kelly Nguyen knocks on doors in Houston's Chinatown, encouraging Asian Americans to vote.
Nancy Marshall Genzer
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In the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Republicans make inroads with lifelong Democrats

by Andy Uhler
Oct 25, 2022
Some residents feel Democrats have taken their votes for granted.
U.S. Representative Mayra Flores (R-TX), takes a photo with a supporter at a joint campaign event with Monica De La Cruz, Republican candidate for Congress, at the University Drafthouse in Mcallen, Texas, on October 10, 2022.
Allison Dinner/AFP via Getty Images
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Drought in South Texas has farmers worried about their crops

by Andy Uhler
Oct 17, 2022
In South Texas, two reservoirs supply water to both sides of the border. For the past few years, they’ve struggled to remain half-full.
Above, a cotton field post-harvest near Waxahachie, Texas, on Sep. 19. Farmers across south Texas are grappling with historically dry conditions.
Andy Jacobsohn/AFP via Getty Images
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COVID & Unemployment

States are being sued for trying to "claw back" pandemic unemployment benefits

by Paul Flahive
Oct 14, 2022
Texas, for instance, sent out more than 1 million overpayment notices since the pandemic began.
Texas, Rhode Island, Michigan and Maryland have been hit with lawsuits based on their claims of overpaying recipients.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
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How much tax-funded tourist promotion money does a popular destination need?

by Travis Bubenik
Aug 18, 2022
In the tourist hot spot of the Texas Big Bend, some raise concerns about taxes used to promote even more tourism.
Some locals in the Big Bend area would like to see the hotel occupancy tax go toward housing assistance or building new roads. Above, the entrance to the Terlingua Ghost Town in the Big Bend region.
Hannah Gentiles
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What might new leadership at ERCOT mean for the troubled Texas power grid?

by Andy Uhler
Aug 16, 2022
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas' new CEO has experience working under a different power pricing model — a capacity market.
Texas operates an energy-only electricity market, which means energy producers only get paid when they generate, and there’s usually not a lot of electricity on standby.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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