Patters

That conservative meccas called Texas has gotten itself into as bad an economic mess as California, maybe worse since Texas has little left to cut after the conservatives cut virtually everything. What's intereresting is that while California's mess was in part due to the impasse between the Republicans and Democrats in their state government, Texas' mess is completely on the shoulders of conservative Republicans who run that state:

What does Texas' $27 billion deficit mean for Dallas ISD? | DALLAS ISD Blog | dallasnews.com

State Comptroller Susan Combs announced this morning that Texas faces a $27 billion deficit, a shortfall that exceeds some of the highest projections in recent months. The consequences could be dramatic as lawmakers likely make big cuts, and educators believe school districts could lose millions in funding.

The Baptist Standard :: The Newsmagazine of Texas Baptists - Texas legislators faced with daunting budget deficit

AUSTIN—Texas lawmakers are faced with a sluggish economy and a budget deficit as high as $25 billion, forcing them to make difficult spending decisions during the legislative session that begins Jan. 11.
...

Legislators will face pressure to make up for the budget shortfall through a variety of options, including the expansion of gambling, expansion of toll roads and the reduction of aid for children and the poor. Using some—or all—of the $9.5 billion rainy day fund will be hotly debated.

State

Aren't all states facing fiscal problems? And it's worse in high-tax states since people are voting with their feet to go to states, esp. in the South, where there's no state income tax.

But Texas, as far as I know, is not issuing vouchers (essentially IOUs) in lieu of money. Like California.

And Texas is better than at least ten other states for retirees.

Thinking about retiring in 2011? Worst places to do it include California : On The Block - Real Estate

wistahpatsfan

Texas is a *****hole...just sayin

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

chicowalker

It really is. Maybe Austin is nice -- I'd like to check it out. Dallas is OK, but not nearly what they think it is. And Houston is a hole.

At least you can drive faster than many states.

Mrs.PatsFanInVa

Never been there....but maybe they planned it that way so you wouldn't have as much time to look around.

Real World

I love how the people in one part of the country, always seem to think that it's the other parts that suck, and not theirs. I'm sure the people in Texas feel just like you guys do, about the places you live. To me, there's good and bad wherever it is you call home.

As for Texas, I believe they operate on a 2 year budget, as opposed to the normal annual budget most states use, like our own for example (MA). So I think, and I could be wrong here, that the total is for that 2 year period. Texas also has over $9 billion in a rainy day fund it can use to help plug the gap.

I don't know what Texas' long term liabilities are, but I'm pretty sure California's are worse. I believe California's unfunded pension liabilities alone are half a trillion dollars.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."
Leo Tolstoy, 1897

chicowalker

Of course -- otherwise many of those people wouldn't live there still. There's also a difference in some places b/t being a good place to live v. a good place to visit. Houston may have nice suburbs, for ex -- but visiting for the Super Bowl? What a tragic choice of cities (though better than JAX).

(otoh, the tourists I see strolling along the beach outside my house every day sure seem to be enjoying it )

Real World

There are always lots of variables. No place is perfect. A lot will also depend on what part of a state you live in, as well as what your financial condition is. One thing I've never understood though, is when people feel some sort of need to defend the place they live, or attack a place they don't. Not that everyone does either, but it's always made me laugh a little bit.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."
Leo Tolstoy, 1897

chicowalker

Yes to all those. LA is far from my favorite place, for ex -- many pros and cons to it. (and "LA" is far from being just 1 place, for the reasons you point out)

OT: Personally, I just hate Houston from the Super Bowl and work visits and hate how great Dallas people think Dallas is, having been there a lot for work, too. I haven't read Bill Simmons much the last few years, but his take on Super Bowl venues is right on -- New Orleans, Miami, San Diego (maybe Tampa?) only. No Houston, no Detroit, no JAX, etc. Just those few.

Wolfpack

The ultra-liberal California's problems are far above and beyond anything Texas has. Texas is like a guy who lost his job and had to buy things on credit for a few months. California is like Bernie Madoff and the entire house of cards is crumbling down.

But all these states - and the federal government - are suffering from the same problems. When times are good, the pols make budgets with projected revenues and projected expenses. Then times turn bad and all of a sudden, the revenue is less than expected and the expenses are greater than expected.