Texas

TEXAS

Texas (pop. 30 million) has a GDP of $2 trillion, bigger than Canada’s, and if it were an independent country, it would be the world’s 9th largest economy. Its population is growing faster than that of any other state, and 60% is non-white. It has 38 representatives in Congress and 40 electoral votes. It produces 43% of US oil and 25% of US natural gas, and yet it is a leader in green energy, producing more wind energy than any other state. Texas’s growth is based on immigration of people and businesses, energy, and federal handouts. There is no state income tax, and the cost of living is 7.5% below the national average. 

But Texas does not invest in its people. It has refused to expand Medicaid even though the federal government pays 90% of the cost. So Texas has the largest uninsured population in the US. Education in Texas is poor in funding and results. Texas is 42nd out of the 50 states in education funding, and only 38% of fourth-grade students are up to standard in math and 30% in reading. Because of this Texas depends on people from other states to fill jobs requiring education. Also, Texas is a center for the right wing in the culture wars: guns can be carried without a permit and abortion is severely limited. 

Source: The Economist, 3/18/23.