Economy

Evictions in some Texas cities are almost back to normal levels as tenant help dries up

by Joshua Fechter and Uriel J. García Nov. 23, 2021

Evictions in major Texas cities have reached levels not seen since the pandemic began. But tenant protections and financial assistance for struggling renters are beginning to fade. Full Story 

Analysis: A swelling Texas treasury gives 2022 hopefuls room for big ideas

by Ross Ramsey Nov. 22, 2021

As the political season starts, the contestants got an unexpected bit of good news: The state comptroller says the next Legislature will start with almost $25 billion in the state treasury. Expensive campaign promises just got a lot easier to make. Full Story 

Texans in U.S. House vote along party lines to pass $1.75 trillion social spending package

by Bethany Irvine Nov. 19, 2021

After months of contentious negotiations, the U.S. House passed the Build Back Better plan. It would establish universal pre-K and provide funding to combat climate change, among other things. Full Story 

Texas said delta-8 is illegal. But state troopers haven’t made a single arrest.

by Kevin Reynolds Nov. 11, 2021

Texas health officials insist delta-8 is an illegal substance and has been for 40 years. Full Story 

Biden’s infrastructure plan will set aside about $35 billion for Texas projects

by Reese Oxner Nov. 9, 2021

The funds will help advance existing plans, pay for much-needed repairs and launch other projects for roads, bridges, broadband access, electric vehicle charging stations and more. Full Story 

Texas voters say the state and country are worse off than a year ago and heading in the wrong direction, UT/TT Poll finds

by James Pollard Nov. 9, 2021

Thirty-eight percent of respondents said the state economy is doing worse than a year ago, further evidence that Texans are still feeling the pandemic’s consequences. Full Story 

Citing overwhelming demand, Texas Rent Relief Program will stop taking new applications after Friday

by Joshua Fechter Nov. 4, 2021

Housing advocates worry some Texans won’t get the help they need as the state enters the cold winter months. Full Story 

White House says big businesses must mandate vaccines or require testing by Jan. 4, regardless of what states like Texas say

by Mitchell Ferman Updated: Nov. 4, 2021

The new rules preempt state and local laws, including part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on vaccine mandates. Full Story 

Texas Republicans want to make the state the center of the cryptocurrency universe

by James Pollard Oct. 28, 2021

Texas Republicans have largely welcomed the blockchain technology industry with open arms. But skeptics are concerned about cryptocurrency mining’s impact on the environment and energy grid. Full Story 

Search the newly updated Government Salaries Explorer

by Chris Essig Oct. 26, 2021

The Texas Tribune’s database of Texas state employees’ compensation has been updated to represent salaries as of Sept. 30. This update also includes new job descriptions and salary ranges for many positions. Full Story 

Analysis: A quick turn on property taxes with the long game in mind

by Ross Ramsey Oct. 22, 2021

High Texas property taxes were an issue in the state's 2018 elections, and you can see from their work on a new homestead exemption earlier this week that state lawmakers didn't forget that lesson from voters. Full Story 

Analysis: Texas legislators set the table for the 2022 elections

by Ross Ramsey Oct. 20, 2021

The controversial issues you’ve heard Texas lawmakers debate for most of the year aren’t going away; many of them will be argued all over again during the 2022 elections. Full Story 

UT Rio Grande Valley to offer free tuition and fees to students with family income $100,000 or less

by Kate McGee Oct. 20, 2021

UTRGV’s decision to offer free tuition to more students comes after more students’ families lost jobs during the pandemic. Full Story 

After months of store closures and layoffs, border businesses eager to welcome back Mexican customers Nov. 8

by Uriel J. García Oct. 19, 2021

For 19 months, business owners along the Texas-Mexico border have seen a drastic drop in customers because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. With land borders scheduled to reopen Nov. 8, they are banking on a return to pre-pandemic sales. Full Story 

As Texas GOP wages war on COVID-19 mandates, lawmakers OK bill that would make companies requiring the shot vulnerable to lawsuits

by Neelam Bohra and Mitchell Ferman Oct. 14, 2021

Senate Bill 51 would make any entity, including hospitals, vulnerable to discrimination lawsuits if they mandate vaccinations for all employees. Full Story 

This Plano family got evicted after the Texas Rent Relief program paid the wrong landlord

by Christopher Connelly, KERA News Oct. 14, 2021

The state’s $1.9 billion rental assistance program, which launched during the pandemic, has helped more than 165,000 Texans. But people have “slipped through the cracks,” advocates say. Full Story 

U.S. to reopen land borders with Mexico to vaccinated travelers starting in November

by Uriel J. García and Kevin Reynolds Updated: Oct. 13, 2021

The borders were closed to nonessential travel in March 2020, which hurt businesses in Texas border cities that rely on Mexican shoppers. Full Story 

El difícil camino para acceder a los fondos de asistencia para el alquiler

by María Isabel Gonzales Oct. 13, 2021

¿Busca asistencia para pagar su renta? Esto es lo que sucede cuando se intenta acceder a los fondos de ayuda distribuidos entre ciudades y condados de Texas. Full Story 

Analysis: Greg Abbott and the policy contradiction of an anti-mandate mandate

by Ross Ramsey Oct. 12, 2021

Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest executive order contradicts what he's been saying for months about mandates and the personal choices of Texans and their businesses during the pandemic. Full Story 

Here’s what Texans need to know about the government shutdown threat in Congress

by Bethany Irvine Sept. 29, 2021

In a late-night scramble, U.S. Senate leaders circulated a continuing resolution that could prevent a federal shutdown and the furlough of some 35,000 Texans who work for the federal government. Full Story