Economy

T-Squared: What you can expect at this year’s Texas Tribune Festival

by Evan Smith July 20, 2021

Nearly 150 speakers (including 20 more biggies revealed today) across more than 50 sessions. Four days of virtual programs. Two jampacked days of in-person programs. Everything streamed. Everything on demand. Are you as excited as we are? Full Story 

Texas educators of color say law limiting how America’s history of racism is taught further silences marginalized voices

by Heidi Pérez-Moreno July 10, 2021

Texas teacher Juan Carmona says it’s important to talk about the experiences of marginalized groups with students of color because they should see themselves represented in history books. Full Story 

Immigration and border security remain top concerns of Texas voters, UT/TT Poll finds

by Heidi Pérez-Moreno June 28, 2021

Immigration and border security continue to top Texas voters' list of most important problems facing the state. It is a particular concern of Republican voters. Full Story 

How coronavirus impacted the Texas economy

by Anna Novak, Mandi Cai and Mitchell Ferman June 25, 2021

The coronavirus pandemic swiftly swept Texas into an economic recession, upending several industries and prompting millions to seek unemployment aid. Here’s a look at how the state was impacted between March 2020 and May 2021. Full Story 

Greater disparities to emerge in Texas as unemployment benefits, protections against evictions and utility shutoffs end

by Erin Douglas June 25, 2021

The financial safety net for the pandemic will vanish this summer, and there are two very different economic realities for Texans returning to “normal.” Full Story 

CDC extends eviction ban through July, but enforcement in Texas is up to individual judges

by Farah Eltohamy June 24, 2021

The agency cited the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant as reason to keep the anti-eviction measure in place. Full Story 

The eviction crisis in photos: How three Texans faced losing their homes during a pandemic

by Evan L'Roy Updated: June 28, 2021

With the final CDC eviction moratorium now set to expire at the end of July, three Texas families recount their experiences facing their own housing struggles over the past year. Full Story 

Grid operator says Texans can return to regular electricity use

by Erin Douglas June 19, 2021

The operator had urged electricity conservation earlier this week as several power generators unexpectedly went offline as temperatures rose this week. Full Story 

With jobless Texans losing access to federal unemployment benefits, some in rural areas can’t find jobs

by Justin Dehn June 19, 2021

Gov. Greg Abbott opted Texans out of all additional federal unemployment aid starting June 26. But finding a job hasn't been easy for everyone. Full Story 

Business leaders on Texas-Mexico border say state politicians ignore community needs while calling for a wall

by Mitchell Ferman June 18, 2021

Many local officials and business leaders along the border say that the rhetoric is misplaced and that the broader needs of their communities can often get lost. Full Story 

T-Squared: Tickets for the 2021 Texas Tribune Festival are on sale now

by Evan Smith June 15, 2021

As we emerge from the pandemic, our signature annual ideas conference will be a best-of-both-worlds convening. Some of our programming will be virtual. Some of it will be in person. All of it will be awesome. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas lawmakers would prioritize workers in 2021. But advocates say the working class was largely left behind.

by Megan Munce June 15, 2021

After Texas workers were praised during the pandemic, many thought lawmakers would increase protections or benefits. But advocacy groups say they spent a lot of time playing defense on bills that could hurt workers. Full Story 

Fear of coronavirus will no longer be acceptable reason for Texans on unemployment to turn down job offers

by Isabella Zou June 9, 2021

The state's unemployment agency is ending that exemption June 26, when out-of-work Texans will also stop receiving an extra $300 in federal jobless benefits. Full Story 

Everyday Texans overlooked in state lawmakers' response to power outages during winter storm

by Erin Douglas and Mitchell Ferman June 3, 2021

While lawmakers took significant steps toward preventing another blackout, hardly any of the proposals passed during this legislative session will aid consumers in recovering from the February storm — but they’ll see higher utility bills. Full Story 

Effort to curb governor’s pandemic emergency powers falls short at Texas Legislature

by Cassandra Pollock May 30, 2021

The proposal’s low bill number signaled it was a priority of new House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who referred to the legislation as “the House’s blueprint for pandemic response.” Full Story 

Without child care, Texas’ unemployed mothers are struggling to reenter the workforce as federal benefits cease

by Jackson Barton May 29, 2021

Many Texas mothers are ready to return to work, but a lack of child care is keeping them at home. Alicia Reed worries how she will provide for her four children after her federal unemployment benefits are cut at the end of June. Full Story 

Texas Legislature close to approving billions to pay for winter storm financial fallout

by Erin Douglas and Mitchell Ferman May 25, 2021

Several billions of dollars in state-approved financing will be necessary to stabilize the state’s distressed energy market after the winter storm. Texas approves more in finance bailouts for its utilities than any other state. Full Story 

Jobless Texans say Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end federal unemployment benefits will worsen their already dire situations

by Megan Menchaca Updated: May 21, 2021

Jobless Texans say they’re desperate to return to work, but they haven’t had any luck when applying to multiple jobs every month. For some, one month isn’t enough time to apply for and find a job. Full Story 

Jobless Texans will lose all federal unemployment benefits, including extra weekly $300, after Gov. Greg Abbott opts out of the program

by Megan Menchaca and Mitchell Ferman Updated: May 17, 2021

The extra $300 federal benefit will end June 26 for jobless Texans. Abbott also cut off another federal benefit that extended aid to gig workers, self-employed people and others who aren’t traditionally covered by unemployment insurance. Full Story 

Analysis: Those Texans ignoring social distancing guidelines? They’re probably not vaccinated

by Jim Henson and Joshua Blank May 14, 2021

Polling suggests that along with an increasing number of vaccinated people without masks, there will be many others who are unmasked but unvaccinated — posing a public health hazard to themselves and to other unvaccinated people with whom they come into contact. Full Story