Stage 8: Comment on the state of Texas Government

In her article “The State of Texas and Local Government”, Breona comments about the current economic conditions in Texas which we have spent a great deal learning and writing about this summer. She points out that Texas is no exception to the economic suffering the country has faced, and cites the billions in budget deficit while proposing to raise revenue in the correct areas rather than continuing to cut spending. She closes by emphasizing the impact that the budget cuts will have on healthcare and the education system and stresses the personal levels at which Texans will be affected.

I completely agree with Breona about these issues, and would even say she is perhaps giving Rick Perry too much credit for seemingly keeping Texas immune to the recession. I never bought the so called “Texas Miracle” because the facts and statistics prove that Texas truly is in no better condition than any other state. Texas has the 23rd lowest unemployment rate at 9%, is the leader in proportion of residents making minimum wage, and has more uninsured people than any state. Are these things we should really be proud of? I think not. Furthermore, while the rest of the country seems to be on the mend having an average of 5% increase in weekly wage since 2007, Texas seems to regress after deciding on these current budget cuts and having an increase in wages of only .6% since 2007. Because of this, I am unsure what makes Breona believe Texas has “thrived” with job opportunities, 37% of which were minimum wage jobs that were in the small job spike Perry often brags of.

Like Breona, I think raising revenue in the right areas is the way to get us out of this hole. The state cannot afford budget cuts due to the already high unemployment numbers and continued shortcomings of the Texas school systems. I completely believe that residents would rather pay a bit more in taxes to see things fixed rather than save a few bucks to watch the situation worsen. In terms of those “right” areas to raise revenue, I have always thought a tax on carbon emissions and chemical waste would be a fabulous method to raise the state’s revenue while giving the environment a chance to heal itself. We have a plethora of rich oil companies polluting the environment that could easily afford to give a little back to the government for the damages they make.

Either way, if there’s one thing I’ve learned this semester, it is that Texas is in ok shape, but far from perfect. And most importantly it seems to be on a downward slope after recent executive decisions regarding these budget cuts. Texas is a fabulous place to live, but it needs to make a 180 degree turn if it wants to maintain what its residents speak so proudly of.