Texas
State Government
Governor
Greg Abbott (R)
State Senate
12
Democrats,
19
Republicans
State House
64
Democrats,
86
Republicans
Economic well-being - Texas
Extreme poverty rate
0.08
Food insecurity
0.176
Minimum wage
7.25
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.313
Poverty rate
13.4%
Unemployment rate
4.1
Number of Black or African American children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Number of Hispanic or Latino children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Percent of individuals who are uninsured
16.7
Poverty by demographic - Texas
Child poverty rate
0.18
Number of Asian and Pacific Islander children below 200% poverty
79000
Number of Black or African American children below 200% poverty
463000
Number of Hispanic or Latino children below 200% poverty
1915000
Senior poverty rate
12.3 %
Women in poverty
15,455,699
The Houston Chronicle, January 27, 2013: Poorer Texas kids lead to higher education costs
"Texas' high child poverty rate is beginning to make demands on the state's budget, and experts warn the state needs to spend more on education or the state's economy could slow."
Abilene Reporter-News, January 06, 2013: Brokovich looks out for 'underdog' students by leading AISD's federal programs division
"The number of homeless students in the AISD has also increased. In the last five years, it has jumped from 617 homeless students in fall 2008 to 811 this year. Brokovich said the number of unaccompanied homeless students - those who do not have adult supervision - has also risen, with only 20 students claiming that status in 2010, but more than 130 homeless students this year. He said most of the homeless students generally attend the district's secondary schools."
Austin American-Statesman, January 05, 2013: (Editorial) The Legislature must do more than just get by in addressing public schools
"Republican House Speaker Joe Straus has pledged to give money back to public schools. That is one of the best investments any state can make, and goodness knows Texas, with its booming population - many younger than 18 and from low-income families - needs to make those investments. The state's high school graduation rates hit an all-time high in 2011, as nearly 86 percent of students graduated in four years, according to the Texas Education Agency. Research also shows that low-income third-graders who attended preschool passed the third-grade TAKS tests at higher rates than their peers who did not attend preschool."
San Antonio Express-News, December 26, 2012: Choice program is a suicide pact for schools
"Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Senate Education Chairman Dan Patrick of Houston are proposing that Texas businesses be allowed to claim a franchise tax credit of up to 25 percent and direct it to nonprofit groups that would fund private school scholarships for low-income children."
The Dallas Morning News, December 23, 2012: Homeless teens find shelter from stormy lives at North Dallas High School
"There are 76 homeless students enrolled at the school, more than most other high schools in Dallas ISD. Mark Pierce, homeless liaison for Dallas ISD, wanted these kids to have everything they needed before the break - food, coats, bus passes - whatever it took so that they could come back after vacation."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, December 17, 2012: Area colleges work to help students who are hungry and broke
"Many students saw their college savings dwindle during the recent recession, McGuinness said, because as parents lost their jobs, they dipped into college accounts to make house payments or pay bills. Some students teeter on the edge of poverty from semester to semester, McGuinness said. McGuinness has an open-door policy for students needing help. Sometimes, aid is as simple as finding a low-cost or housing payment plan tailored to the student's needs. Sometimes, officials are able to find students work."