Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ 56% of Texas registered voters say the state economy is worse than it was a year ago, according to our latest poll

And 67% said the national economy is in worse shape than it was a year ago. bit.ly/2H6DzZ4

2/ Texas’ unemployment rate in August was 6.8% — a sign the state's economy has improved from the spring months, but economists said the data underscores a large and steady number of jobless Texans over the summer months.
bit.ly/2GYxP45

3/ Federal lawmakers and President Donald Trump have failed for months to reach a deal on a new coronavirus relief bill after the CARES Act expired in July, leaving hundreds of Texans and businesses to scrape by with no end in sight. bit.ly/2T1mB0V

4/ Jacque Miles said she is weeks away from losing everything — including the cell phone service she uses to apply to multiple jobs a day.

Like many she was laid off this spring and has been hoping for another relief package to help make ends meet.

5/ Industry leaders warn that further delays of a federal deal could cause permanent harm.

According to the Texas Restaurant Association’s President, 15% of Texas’ restaurants have closed permanently, and another 10% could join before the year ends. bit.ly/2T1mB0V

6/ Janette Martinez paused her college plans to take over the family business after her father had a stroke in April.

Now the money she received from the Paycheck Protection Program is dwindling, and she has no idea if she’s breaking even or losing money.

7/ More than six months after the start of the pandemic the Texas Workforce Commission still struggles to keep up with the increased demand.

Some have reported calling the commission more than a 1,000 times before finally getting a hold of someone. bit.ly/317coV8

8/ The @HoustonChronicle reported that the pandemic has led to the fastest layoffs in the oil and gas industry’s history, and many jobs may take years to return.

Texas, the nation’s top oil producing state, has borne the brunt of the industry’s layoffs.
bit.ly/3nBq58r

9/ Sales tax revenue, which is Texas' single largest source of funding, has also been negatively impacted by the economic shutdowns during the pandemic.

The Legislature will have to decide which programs are expendable when planning the budget next year. bit.ly/3iXgB3Z

10/10 However, 67% of Texas registered voters said their families are economically better off or in the same place as a year ago, according to the most recent UT/TT poll.

Although that number is down from 77% from this time last year. bit.ly/2H6DzZ4