Tag Archives: Ray Perryman

What if Houston gets too hot?

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Some cheery thoughts from the Wall Street Journal. Houstonians pride themselves on how they tolerate heat. This summer, the heat has become intolerable. Businesses and residents in America’s fourth-largest city have moved much of life indoors, changing work and spending … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Keeping the world safe from low tire pressure

Posted on April 23, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Such a visionary. State troopers ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott to inspect every commercial truck coming from Mexico earlier this month — which clogged international trade with Mexico — found zero drugs, weapons or any other type of contraband, according … Continue reading →

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Our COVID failures and our economy

Posted on September 14, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Remember when the goal was to get the economy going again? The recent surge in COVID-19 cases is not only hitting the state in terms of lives lost, but it’s taking its toll on the Texas economy. That’s according to … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Our eroding reputation as a good place to do business

Posted on August 5, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

If we don’t have that, what do we have? Veteran Waco economist Ray Perryman is used to seeing an annual parade of best for business rankings that put Texas at the top. Those rankings shape perceptions about the state’s business … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Big XII accuses ESPN of sabotage

Posted on July 31, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting! In the long, sordid and divisive history of conference realignment, there has always been feverish levels of mistrust, backroom allegations and message board conspiracies when schools switch leagues. But in the decades of cloak-and-dagger maneuverings, political gamesmanship and rival … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The economic effects of voter suppression

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

From Forbes magazine last week: The Texas economy could take a massive hit if the state enacts new voting restrictions—potentially costing the state’s economy tens of billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs—according to a study from the … Continue reading →

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The economic effect of losing college football this fall

Posted on August 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I have some sympathy, but I also have some skepticism. Texas’ five major conference football teams – Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin — are massive economic drivers … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A bipartisan equality bill

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I appreciate the effort, but we can’t expect too much to come of this. Five Democratic and two Republican state legislators announced plans Wednesday to file a bill next legislative session that would bar discrimination against LGBTQ Texans in housing, … Continue reading →

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Another study of bathrooms and business

Posted on April 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Short answer: Bathroom bills are bad. Legislation viewed by many as discriminatory toward LGBT Texans — including proposals to regulate which bathrooms transgender individuals may use — could cost the state $3.3 billion in annual tourism dollars and more than … Continue reading →

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Businesses say they want Medicaid expansion, too

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This really comes down to two things. Chambers of commerce representing companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and Kimberly-Clark Corp. (KMB) are challenging Texas Governor Rick Perry and lawmakers to expand health care for the poor in the state … Continue reading →

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Perryman for expanding Medicaid

Posted on November 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Economist Ray Perryman makes the straightforward economic case for expanding Medicaid in Texas. According to our analysis, every $1 spent by the State of Texas to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act returns $1.29 in dynamic State government … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Happy talk about Texas employment

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

2010 was a better year for employment in Texas than 2009 was. Texas employers expanded payrolls by 20,000 jobs in December, the third straight month the state has gained jobs, according to data released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission. … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What today’s budget cuts will mean tomorrow

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We know cuts are coming to public education and higher education. Let’s turn once again to Steve Murdock, the former State Demographer who is now a professor at Rice University, to hear what that will mean for Texas’ future. Texas’ … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The effect of health care reform on Texas

Posted on March 21, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an email from the Legislative Study Group, via State Rep. Garnet Coleman, who has been a constant source of health care reform updates: LSG Policy Update: CBO Estimates of Impact of Healthcare Reform to Texas With the United States … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Are we recovering yet?

Posted on January 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Economist Ray Perryman thinks so. Texas will be “last in, first out” among states battling the recession, although a recovery that has already started will require patience, a leading economist says. The Lone Star State proved resilient because of advantages … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Opposition to Prop 4

Posted on October 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Prop 4, the Tier 1 Universities constitutional amendment, has gotten a lot of support across the spectrum. Any high-profile amendment will always have some opposition, however, and Prop 4 no exception. A proposed constitutional amendment to help the University of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lege versus Gov on unemployment funds

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Showdown time. The House committee charged with recommending how to use the federal stimulus money does not see eye to eye with Gov. Rick Perry on the $555 million for unemployment insurance. In a 5 to 1 vote, the committee … Continue reading →

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