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New research from the Episcopal Health Foundation showed the Texas economy could save billions of dollars, simply by breaking the cycle of preventable health disparities. (Colored Lights/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, April 18, 2024

New study shows health disparities cost TX billions of dollars

Health disparities in Texas are not only making some people sick, but affecting the state's economy. A new study shows Texas is losing $7 billion a …

Broadband funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are expected to connect more than 2.5 million households in Texas.(ThomBal/AdobeStock)

TX nonprofit helps rural towns secure infrastructure improvement grants

A lack of staff and know-how often means rural towns miss out on grants to improve their communities, and a Texas group is trying to balance the …

Raging wildfires damaged more than 1 million acres of land in the Texas Panhandle. (yelantsevv/Adobe Stock)

TX legislative committee to investigate Panhandle wildfires

Several members of the Texas Legislature have been appointed to a committee to investigate wildfires that ravaged the Texas Panhandle and parts of Okl…

Despite a goal of 95% on-time delivery, the most recent report from the U.S. Postal Service showed it is about 83%. (MicroOne/AdobeStock)

Understaffed, unnerved TX postal workers speak out about delivery delays

Texas postal customers, especially in rural areas, are experiencing delays in mail delivery, and some letter carriers feel it could get worse…

School choice proponents in Texas argue their children's academic needs can't be met without options such as tuition vouchers. Straxer/AdobeStock)

Stagnant state funding leaves Texas public schools reeling

Texas public schools rank 41st in per-student funding, and that may not improve anytime soon. A large education funding package failed in the …

En Texas, defensores de las decisiones de las escuelas argumentan que las necesidades acad�micas de sus hijos no pueden satisfacerse sin opciones como los cheques escolares. Straxer/AdobeStock)

Estancamiento en financiación estatal deja a escuelas públicas en ‘la cuerda floja’

Las escuelas públicas de Texas ocupan el puesto 41 en financiación por estudiante, y es posible que eso no mejore en el corto plazo…

A new report shows most states have increased their performance expectations for public schools in the past 15 years, but also reduced funding. (Victor/Adobe Stock)

Persistent state budget cuts create inadequate funding for TX schools

A new report shows persistent state budget cuts in 80% of U.S. states -- including Texas -- deprive public schools of the funding they experienced …

Un nuevo informe muestra que la mayor�a de los estados han aumentado sus expectativas de rendimiento para las escuelas p�blicas en los �ltimos 15 a�os, pero tambi�n han reducido la financiaci�n. (Victor/AdobeStock)

Recortes presupuestarios persistentes crean financiación inadecuada en escuelas de TX

Un nuevo informe muestra que los persistentes recortes presupuestarios en el 80% de los estados de EE.UU., incluido Texas, privan a las escuelas p…

The Texas Department of Transportation has approved a historic $142 billion in roadway spending over the next decade. (ABCDstock/Adobe Stock)

TX highway expansion comes with a human death toll

Texas road construction workers die at a higher rate than in any other state, and some believe it's because contractors aren't held accountable for …

En todo Estados Unidos, la matr�cula en las escuelas p�blicas tradicionales no ha vuelto a los niveles previos a la pandemia. (Nina/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Opositores a la adquisición de HISD en Texas obtienen fondos para movilización popular

Los padres y educadores del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Houston o HISE, por sus siglas en inglés, tienen nuevos fondos para mantener la …

Young farmers, ranchers and others want issues of equitable land access, retention and transition addressed in the next Farm Bill. (StockMediaProduction/AdobeStock)

Eager but cash-strapped farmers seek Farm Bill solutions

Advocates for America's small farmers say younger folks express a growing interest in agriculture, but without necessary capital, they can't get a …

Lawmakers in several states, including Texas, continue attempts to subsidize private school tuition with taxpayer dollars through voucher programs. (Austockphoto/Adobe Stock)

Battle over school vouchers lingers in Lone Star State

A top legislative priority for Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott did not get across the finish line last Friday, despite a fourth special session called this …

Los datos federales sugieren que al menos siete de cada 10 personas han perdido su cobertura de Medicaid por motivos de procedimiento, como el incumplimiento de plazos, la p�rdida de documentaci�n en el correo o la lentitud en la tramitaci�n por parte de las agencias estatales. (zimmytws/Adobestock)

'Unwinding' de Medicaid cobra alto precio a niños de Texas

Durante la pandemia, aún más niños estadounidenses tuvieron seguro médico, pero ahora que los estados están obligados a …

Some 8 million Texans cast a ballot in the November 2022 midterm election, just 45.7% of the state's 17.7 million registered voters. (Burlingham/AdobeStock)

Texas Becomes Largest Republican-led State to Exit Voter Data Group

There was no evidence of significance voter fraud in the 2020 election, but it has not stopped Texas from withdrawing from a system used by 30 states …

More than 100,000 clean-energy job openings have sprung up across the U.S. since President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, according to Climate Power, a coalition of environmental groups. (Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock)

Study: Demand for Green Jobs in TX Twice the National Rate

By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Col…

More than 1,000 days since voters went to the polls in the 2020 presidential election, the results are likely to be a topic at this week's first Republican 2024 debate in Milwaukee. (maylim/AdobeStock)

America's "Dog Days of Summer" Dogged by Politics

Voters, who couldn't be blamed for looking away from the news during the "Dog Days" of August, especially election news, instead find themselves …

While some states require licensing, Texas doulas can offer physical, emotional and informational support to their clients without a certification. (AntonioDiaz/AdobeStock)

As Costs Escalate, Texas Increases Nonmedical Maternal Health Care

Texas is recognizing maternal health care is not just about doctor's visits, with a new law taking effect this fall to enhance screening for …

Prison guards in the Lone Star State make between $42,000 and $51,000 a year, depending on experience, and received a 5% pay raise on July 1, according to the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice. (AnyaSlepyan/Daily Yonder)

TX Fills Prison, Jail Job Vacancies with High School Recruits

Texas high schools offering training in corrections and law enforcement are being tapped by the state's Department of Criminal Justice to address mass…

The average cost of center-based child care for a toddler in 2021 was nearly $9,000 in Texas, which is 9% of the median income of a couple and 28% of a single parent's income, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Children's Advocates Lament 'Missed Opportunities' by TX Lawmakers

A child advocacy group in Texas is already looking ahead to the 2025 legislative session, after several policy changes it supported this year failed …

The lack of nearby and affordable child care in the U.S. affects job opportunities and costs the economy $122 billion annually, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (mmg1design/Adobe Stock)

Report: Texas Ranks 44th in Nation for Child Well-Being

Child well-being in Texas is on the ropes, with a new study showing significant declines in third grade reading, eighth grade math proficiency and …

An estimated 44% of the world's mail volume is processed and delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. (Vivoo/Adobe Stock)

USPS Workers Protest in TX, Elsewhere Over 'Hostile' Working Conditions

Postal workers in San Antonio and other cities want Congress to know their work environment is toxic due to understaffing and managers they claim "har…

In a survey, 50% of small business owners say hospital consolidations lead to a lack of competition, making hospital services more expensive for employees and eating into their pay, according to Small Business for America's Future. (ASHFAQ/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Hospital Consolidation Makes Employee Healthcare Tougher in TX

Small businesses owners in Texas are looking for help from lawmakers as the cost they pay to provide employees with health care coverage continues to …

Black renters receive a disproportionate share of eviction filings and experience the highest rates of eviction filings and eviction judgments, according to the publication Sociological Science. (WayhomeStudio/Adobe Stock)

Study: TX Cities Spend More on Police, Less on Community Supports

The five largest cities in Texas are spending far more money on criminal justice than on community services, according to a new study. The Social …

To curb the dramatic spike in drug overdose deaths, largely due to fentanyl, federal funding was made available to states in 2021 for the purchase of rapid fentanyl test strips. (Harald/AdobeStock)

TX Governor Signals Support for Legalization of Fentanyl Test Strips

Texas may soon join other states with legalized fentanyl test strips, used by those with drug addictions to detect the presence of the often lethal …

Texas is one of 12 states that has not adopted the Medicaid expansion under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. (Stocksnap/Pixbay)

Poll: Texans' Support for Medicaid Reaches All-Time High

Despite opposition from the GOP-led state government, Texans continue to support expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, according to a …

The Census Bureau is reporting both population undercounts and overcounts, were likely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, natural disasters and decisions by the Trump administration that disrupted normal counting efforts. (GerdAltmann/Pixabay)

TX One of Six States that Undercounted Population in 2020 Census

A new report found Texas likely undercounted the number of people who actually live in the state when gathering information for the 2020 census…

Texas lawmakers have opted not to expand Medicaid or create a similar program that would provide even more gains in health insurance coverage for low-income Texans than those seen in these latest ACA enrollment numbers. (Adobe Stock)

ACA Prompts Record 2022 Enrollment in TX

More than 1.8 million Texans signed up for health insurance this year under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), up 42% from 2021, providing more than 500,0…

Every hour, taxpayers in the United States are paying $70.09 million for care for veterans of the War on Terror. (Adobe Stock)

Tax Day 2022: Where Do Texans' Federal Tax Dollars Go?

Tax Day is here, and whether you love or loathe it often depends on if you owe money to the government. Perspective can change with a better …

Average time spent working declined by 17 minutes per day from 2019 to 2020, reflecting a decrease in the share of the population that was employed. (Adobe Stock)

Texas Unemployment Numbers Continue to Dip

As the economy continues to soar in Texas, more people are moving to the state to find better job opportunities. If the job numbers are any …

Texans Rally to Recover from Storm, Wildfire Damage

It has been a tough week for Texas, with a lethal combination of tornadoes, wildfires and even snow. At week's end, 16 counties have been declared …

Despite new rules requiring Texas power companies to better weatherize their facilities following 2021's Winter Storm Uri, 13 power plants did not file winter preparedness reports with the state's Public Utility Commission. (M.Maggs/Pixabay)

TX Power Reform Triggered by Winter Storm Uri Needs Public Input

Not enough has been done to prevent another catastrophic power-grid failure such as the one in Texas last February, according to AARP Texas, which …

Men are almost three times as likely as women to have gone five years or more without a doctor's appointment, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (saniusman89/Pixabay)

Affordable Care Enrollment Surges Nationwide, Including in Texas

It might be due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but a historic 13.6 million people have already enrolled in health insurance coverage for 2022 …

A Starbucks store in upstate New York became the coffee giant's first unionized workplace in the United States earlier this month after workers supported the move in a 19-8 vote. (LubosHouska/Pixabay)

TX Labor Groups Say Build Back Better Could Reposition Workers

The Build Back Better Act is on ice in Congress, but Texas labor leaders say reforms in the bill are needed to help shift America's focus to those …

In Texas, the majority of cancer victims die from lung cancer, followed by colon, breast and pancreatic cancers, according to UnitedHealthcare. (maleni_ferrari/Pixabay)

Texas' Medicaid Coverage Gap Cited for Healthcare Woes

Texas is one of 12 states to not expand Medicaid, and a new report showed it is one reason the state is falling further behind others in providing …

Entrepreneur and business magnate Elon Musk, who moved to Texas in 2020, is the world's richest person with an estimated worth of $287 billion. (Tumisu/Pixabay)

Survey: Taxing Billionaires Popular Across Political Parties

AUSTIN, Texas -- Nearly seven in ten Americans say billionaires are not paying their fair share in taxes, according to a new survey. Among likely …

There are 28 million American kids between the ages of 5 and 11 now eligible for the pediatric version of the coronavirus vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (drfuenteshernandez/Pixabay)

COVID Battle Enters New Phase With Childhood Vaccinations

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Health officials are optimistic that broad immunity against COVID-19 can be achieved for children, now that the Centers for …

En Texas, hay 818 puentes en mal estado seg�n un informe de la administraci�n Biden sobre la infraestructura del pa�s. (heiyeuiu / Pixabay)

¿Cuánto beneficiará la Ley de Infraestructura a los texanos?

DALLAS, Texas -- A medida que avanza la mayor inversión en infraestructura del país, Texas se beneficiará considerablemente de nuevos …

Texas is home to the Regional Center of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development, one of only seven centers in the United States and 168 worldwide based on a United Nations program to develop global sustainability goals. (anncapictures/Pixabay)

Connecting Texas' Sustainability Goals, Nationally and Beyond

ARLINGTON, Texas - Three Texas cities are taking part in a challenge this year to create Sustainable Development Goals that help eliminate poverty…

Legislation to improve Texas' power grid and avoid blackouts, such as the one in February due to an unexpected winter storm, must reach Gov. Greg Abbott's desk by Sunday. (Mirko Delcaldo/FreeImages.com)

Texas Power-Grid Reform Takes Backseat to Other Priorities

AUSTIN, Texas - With days remaining for Texas lawmakers to pass legislation to avoid future statewide blackouts like the one that occurred in …

Los peque�os negocios emplearon al 45% de trabajadores del sector privado en Texas, antes de el inicio de la pandemia, de acuerdo a la

Legisladores de TX revisan Iniciativa para Ayudar a Trabajadores a Ahorrar para el Retiro

AUSTIN, Texas -- Para los habitantes de Texas, la pandemia empeoró las posibilidades de ahorro; pero una iniciativa de ley presentada a la …

New research estimates by 2030, the economic costs of health disparities in Texas could increase to $3.4 billion in excess medical spending, $6.1 billion in lost productivity and 551,000 lost life years valued at $28 billion. (commonealthfund.org)

Report: COVID-19 Health Disparities Cost Texas Nearly $8 Billion

AUSTIN, Texas -- By now, health disparities between white Americans and minorities who contract COVID-19 are well documented, but the economic toll …

Only 24% of Texas high school seniors completed federal financial aid forms to attend college by the November deadline - a nearly 15% decline from the same time last year. (utsystem.edu)

Pandemic: "Biggest Disruption to College Since World War II"

AUSTIN, Texas - A new initiative to turn around the college enrollment decline in Texas due to fallout from COVID-19 was announced yesterday…

in Texas, 25% of households in AT&T's service areas do not have access to broadband that meets the Federal Communications Commission's standard of 25-mbps download speed. (janeb13/PIxabay)

Rural Residents in Texas May Suffer if AT&T Discontinues DSL

AUSTIN, Texas -- Customers of AT&T in Texas are at risk of losing service after the telecommunications giant announced it's retiring its Digital …

Seven Texas counties - Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Hidalgo, Bexar, Travis and El Paso - were among the top 20 counties in the nation with the highest number of uninsured children, according to a report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. (Semevent/Pixabay)

Numbers Soar for Texas Kids Without Health Insurance

AUSTIN, Texas -- Advocates for children are calling on Texas lawmakers to take action in the next legislative session, after a new report shows the …

When the coronavirus hit in March, more than 12 million of the 55 million American students sent home did not have home broadband access for online learning, according to the Brookings Institute. (geralt/Pixabay)

Coronavirus Shows Need to Boost Broadband for Rural TX Students

AUSTIN, Texas -- The coronavirus pandemic has illustrated that every school needs 21st-century remote access to broadband, according to Connected …

Cuando el Coronavirus golpe� en Marzo, m�s de 12 millones de los 55 millones de estudiantes Americanos enviados a sus casas no ten�an acceso a la banda ancha para su aprendizaje en l�nea, de acuerdo al Brookings Institute. (geralt/Pixabay)

El Coronavirus Muestra la Necesidad de Impulsar la Banda Ancha en el Texas Rural

AUSTIN, Texas -- La pandemia ha ilustrado que toda escuela necesita un acceso remoto del Siglo 21 para banda ancha, de acuerdo a Connected Nation …

In Texas, 954,000 adults would be newly enrolled in Medicaid if lawmakers chose to expand it. (texasmed.org)

Study: Texas Forfeits $5.4 Billion without Medicaid Expansion

AUSTIN, Texas -- As states grapple with financial shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic, a new study shows just how much Texas could benefit by …

AARP says any attempt to put Social Security in jeopardy will be met with fierce opposition from its 38 million members. (Ellen26/Pixabay)

AARP: Social Security Must Be Protected for 3.3M Texans

AUSTIN, Texas -- More than 3 million Texans rely on Social Security during retirement, and AARP is calling on people running for office to defend and …

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TX: Budget Policy & Priorities