Kinda slow in the off season and this is an interesting article. Why Texas is faring much better than most states during these economic times.
ARTICLE
http://www.slate.com/id/2250999/?yahoo=y
Exerpts:
Once a separate nation, Texas has recently been behaving more like an independent economic republic than a regular state
Texas' size and history of independence has enabled it to jump-start a new industry.
The state has its own electricity grid, which is not connected to neighboring states. That has allowed it to move swiftly and decisively in deregulating power markets, building new transmission lines, and pursuing alternative sources.
"We can build transmission lines without federal jurisdiction and without consulting other states," said Paul Sadler, executive director of the Austin-based Wind Coalition. Ramping up wind power nationally would require connecting energy fields—the windswept, sparsely populated plains—to population centers on the coasts and in the Midwest. Texas' grid already connects the plains of West Texas with consumers in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. Texas recently surpassed 10,000 megawatts of capacity, the most by far of any state and enough to power 3 million homes, Sadler says. Wind energy is also powering employment—creating more than 10,000 jobs so far. And it has attracted foreign companies, including Danish turbine maker Vestas, Spanish renewable-energy giant Iberdrola, and Shell.
I think there are a whole lot of reasons why Texas is faring better than other states. BTW, when ya'll leave the union please save me a nice little three bedroom, two bath.
Funny thing is a lot of the blades and turbines are being built in Arkansas.
Of course it also helps that a lot of the Arkansas economy is built on stuff people tend to keep buying in bad times like food and paper products. Falling fuel prices have allowed the large trucking industry to remain in pretty good shape. Also helped that Verizon has ended up not laying off nearly as many people after buying Alltel as was expected. Then of course there is a little retailer up in Northwest Arkansas that has fared well with its everyday low prices.
Here's a list of best faring cities I saw a bit back.
1. San Antonio, TX
2. Austin, TX
3. Oklahoma City, OK
4. Little Rock, AR
5. Dallas, TX
6. Baton Rouge, LA
7. Tulsa, OK
8. Omaha, NE
9. Houston, TX
10. El Paso, TX
(04-28-2010 05:02 PM)arkstfan Wrote: [ -> ]Funny thing is a lot of the blades and turbines are being built in Arkansas.
Of course it also helps that a lot of the Arkansas economy is built on stuff people tend to keep buying in bad times like food and paper products. Falling fuel prices have allowed the large trucking industry to remain in pretty good shape. Also helped that Verizon has ended up not laying off nearly as many people after buying Alltel as was expected. Then of course there is a little retailer up in Northwest Arkansas that has fared well with its everyday low prices.
Here's a list of best faring cities I saw a bit back.
1. San Antonio, TX
2. Austin, TX
3. Oklahoma City, OK
4. Little Rock, AR
5. Dallas, TX
6. Baton Rouge, LA
7. Tulsa, OK
8. Omaha, NE
9. Houston, TX
10. El Paso, TX
Half are in Texas and 4 of the remaining 5 are in adjacent states. Says a lot about the ArkLaTexOkie area.
One thing I LOVE about Texas is no personal income taxes. It would require a change in the State Constitution to make that possible. Chance of passage are slim and none
(04-28-2010 05:25 PM)MeanGreen61 Wrote: [ -> ] (04-28-2010 05:02 PM)arkstfan Wrote: [ -> ]Funny thing is a lot of the blades and turbines are being built in Arkansas.
Of course it also helps that a lot of the Arkansas economy is built on stuff people tend to keep buying in bad times like food and paper products. Falling fuel prices have allowed the large trucking industry to remain in pretty good shape. Also helped that Verizon has ended up not laying off nearly as many people after buying Alltel as was expected. Then of course there is a little retailer up in Northwest Arkansas that has fared well with its everyday low prices.
Here's a list of best faring cities I saw a bit back.
1. San Antonio, TX
2. Austin, TX
3. Oklahoma City, OK
4. Little Rock, AR
5. Dallas, TX
6. Baton Rouge, LA
7. Tulsa, OK
8. Omaha, NE
9. Houston, TX
10. El Paso, TX
Half are in Texas and 4 of the remaining 5 are in adjacent states. Says a lot about the ArkLaTexOkie area.
One thing I LOVE about Texas is no personal income taxes. I would require a change in the State Constitution to make that possible. Chance of passage are slim and none
arkstfan might know the answer to this, but If I remember correctly. AR, LA, TX and OK can legally leave the union at any time.
(04-28-2010 05:48 PM)statefanatic Wrote: [ -> ] (04-28-2010 05:25 PM)MeanGreen61 Wrote: [ -> ] (04-28-2010 05:02 PM)arkstfan Wrote: [ -> ]Funny thing is a lot of the blades and turbines are being built in Arkansas.
Of course it also helps that a lot of the Arkansas economy is built on stuff people tend to keep buying in bad times like food and paper products. Falling fuel prices have allowed the large trucking industry to remain in pretty good shape. Also helped that Verizon has ended up not laying off nearly as many people after buying Alltel as was expected. Then of course there is a little retailer up in Northwest Arkansas that has fared well with its everyday low prices.
Here's a list of best faring cities I saw a bit back.
1. San Antonio, TX
2. Austin, TX
3. Oklahoma City, OK
4. Little Rock, AR
5. Dallas, TX
6. Baton Rouge, LA
7. Tulsa, OK
8. Omaha, NE
9. Houston, TX
10. El Paso, TX
Half are in Texas and 4 of the remaining 5 are in adjacent states. Says a lot about the ArkLaTexOkie area.
One thing I LOVE about Texas is no personal income taxes. I would require a change in the State Constitution to make that possible. Chance of passage are slim and none
arkstfan might know the answer to this, but If I remember correctly. AR, LA, TX and OK can legally leave the union at any time.
Me thinks that might be an urban legend.
(04-28-2010 04:52 PM)Hilltopper2K Wrote: [ -> ]I think there are a whole lot of reasons why Texas is far better than other states. BTW, when ya'll leave the union please save me a nice little three bedroom, two bath.
Fixed
Too many reasons to list.
Well, Arizona continues to rely upon construction and tourism as the foundation for the state's economy. Both areas are hard hit during bad economic times . . . so Arizona is currently trying to increase the sales tax by 1 cent at one of the most unlikely times.
Luxury items such as sales of country club memberships and visits to day spas are not taxed . . . however, the food one must eat to survive is taxed . . . thank goodness for great leadership in the great state of AZ . . .
(04-28-2010 05:48 PM)statefanatic Wrote: [ -> ]arkstfan might know the answer to this, but If I remember correctly. AR, LA, TX and OK can legally leave the union at any time.
I think you may be right... I've heard that Texas is strongly urged to leave....and they have to take the Cowboys with them.
If Texas had the right to leave (or Ark/La/Tex) the unpleasantness of 1861-65 would have been avoided west of the Mississippii.