Economic Texas and Social Policy
Study Questions
Job Growth: A Comparison to Other States
Which state was no. 1 in producing the most jobs in the 1990s? What about in 2000s?
CEO magazine (2006-2009) and CNBC (2010) said what about the Great State of Texas?
In the decade of the 2000s, did the City of Houston create more jobs than the State of
Virginia? More than the State of New York? More than California?
Wealth and Poverty
Is the poverty rate in Texas lower, higher or about the same as the national average?
Is the poverty rate in Houston lower, higher or about the same as the national average?
Tax Revenue in Texas
How much do Texans pay to the State of Texas for every gallon of gasoline?
From which type of tax does Texas raise most of its tax revenue?
Why are sales taxes relatively in high Texas (when compared to other states)?
Texas Budget
How much of the Texas budget comes from contributions from the federal government?
Texas Spending
On what does Texas spend most of its budget? What is a close second in state spending?
Education in Texas
About what % of the costs of K-thru-12 schools is paid for by the Available School
Fund? And what is the Available School Fund?
Welfare Programs in Texas
Under the S-CHIP program, a family of 4 earning what (in Texas) can receive health care
coverage for their children?
For now, how does Texas (not federal funds) pay for the S-CHIP program?
Compared to other states, does Texas pay out a lot for welfare?
Health Care
In 2003, which (not so great) state had the highest % of people who did not have health
care insurance?