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
San Antonio Express-News, October 24, 2012: Poverty's high cost to schools cited at state trial
"Poverty has a way of taking things away from you,' a superintendent from a desperately poor South Texas school district said Wednesday, during Day 3 of the state's school funding trial. Early testimony has highlighted challenges facing school districts trying to meet tougher academic standards with insufficient funding, they say."
The Dallas Morning News, October 23, 2012: Texas public schools require more funding to serve Hispanics, expert testifies in finance trial
"A rapidly growing Hispanic enrollment will require the state and school districts to spend more money because so many of the students come from poor families, a population expert testified Tuesday."
The Houston Chronicle, October 23, 2012: Educating Hispanics crucial for state, demographer testifies in lawsuit
"Whether Texas prospers or gets pulled down by poverty hinges on educating the state's fastest-growing population - Hispanics - demographer Steve Murdock said Tuesday during opening testimony of a school funding lawsuit."
The Dallas Morning News, October 22, 2012: Attorney: Texas school funding 'hopelessly broken'
"The lawsuits were filed after the Legislature cut $4 billion in state funding to schools and another $1.4 billion for grant programs in 2011. The plaintiffs note the money was cut even though Texas' population has boomed and the number of low-income students has skyrocketed. Students from low-income families generally cost more to educate because many require instruction to learn English or participate in costly remedial programs outside the classroom."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, October 17, 2012: Pell Grant-eligible students need aid plus support to succeed in college
"It's ironic that, just as the U.S. poverty rate rises to its highest level in more than four decades, the Pell Grant program -- the most important source of federal aid for low-income students aspiring to a college education -- celebrates its 40th anniversary. There is good reason to celebrate the Pell Grant's huge impact on expanding college access."
The Dallas Morning News, October 03, 2012: Poll shows momentum for action to cut Texas college tuition costs
"The poll, conducted by the Texas Lyceum, a leadership development group, shows three-fourths of Texans favor either regulating tuition or offsetting the costs for low-income students to make college more affordable. It suggests public support for tackling record tuition costs, which were deregulated in 2003. State leaders firmly oppose returning to regulated rates, and some are pushing other ways to take on the issue."