Is Texas the only state not affected by the economy? (insurance, employment)

[catluvr]

Can't say the economy is very good here. Hubby laid off almost 5 months and recruiting agencies are afraid they will be closing after many recruiter layoffs!

Word of wisdom for all wondering about relocation...if you don't have a job waiting for you in TX...do NOT come to TX.

[Kibby]

Originally Posted by tstone

I'll also eat my hat if Kibby's prediction regarding gas prices actually comes true. I put gasoline at a peak of 2.299 this summer.

Stock up on some nice condiments to make eating that hat go down easier.

Energy-state lawmakers to fight tax increase on industry

WASHINGTON — Energy-state lawmakers vowed Friday to do everything they can to block President Barack Obama’s proposed $31.5 billion tax increase on oil and gas producers.

Who do you think is going to cover this 31.5 billion dollar increase? YEP, it's us.

Obama gave an interview to Fortune Business Magazine when he was running for office. He said "hard decisions" (sound familiar?) would have to be made and the people would just have to "adjust". Keep in mind that he said all this when gas prices were $4.00 a gallon, he was talking then about raising them to $6.00 a gallon.

Translation -- pay more for energy. Not just gasoline but electricity also. Cap and trade WILL do this, hitting the oil companies with tax increased WILL do this.

Iran, Venezuela & Russia can't exist on $50 a barrel oil - they will do something to raise those prices. Obama has already done his part to raise those prices by punishing the oil companies.

This is absolutely inevitable. Anything in the $2.00 + range is a dream of yesterday. We will be over $4.

K

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

If you go to the malls, the strip malls, restaurants, lunch spots, tire stores, gimmick stores and so on you will think the economy is booming. And it is better then most all other places in America. But make no mistake, residential construction is at a dead stand still, commercial is moving along on crutches. Construction fuels so many many other parts of the economy.

When homes are not being built you now have home inspectors, carpet dealers, roofers, plummers, electricians, framers, landscapers and on down to govt municipal workers who work directly with construction trades such a building inspectors/code officials, planners, public works and on and on. Then you can take this further down the food chain to the suppliers of construction materials and those who deliver them and the salesmen who sell these materials in the supply stores. And lets not forget the Realtors who sell them are also out of work now.

If it weren't for rebuilding efforts in Galveston the remodeling industry here would also be zero.

Another gage to go by is just last Sept the Sunday paper Houston Cronicle jobs were 25 pages long. Today it is 4 pages long with a quarter of that being Engineering jobs, another quarter of them being medical, the rest being trash including spam like the mystery shoppers and outside sales meaning knocking on doors and making cold calls.

Another true sign is seeing grown men who appear to be educated standing on corners flipping advertising signs for pizza palors or apartment buildings for $40 a day. Even flipping burgers for minimum wage.

The worst is yet to come to Texas too. Mark my words !! Like some one already said, we were just came to the party late.

You mean they are coming to the deluge late.....like someone high and dry in a flood, they may last for a bit, but sooner or later they get cut off from lifelines as well, and that flood may as well be that high....

Stevie Ray said it right a long time ago.....Re: Texas Flood

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by catluvr

Can't say the economy is very good here. Hubby laid off almost 5 months and recruiting agencies are afraid they will be closing after many recruiter layoffs!

Word of wisdom for all wondering about relocation...if you don't have a job waiting for you in TX...do NOT come to TX.

Worst thing for Texas....their economy suffers, and thousands of out-of-staters continue to swarm weekly......you may begin to see state unemployment boards mandate a 6-month residency before claiming benefits...maybe even 12 months....

[ministers]

Originally Posted by WillysB

Things are starting a major turn down here in central Texas. Jobs going to locals who know somebody, low wages, reduced weekly hours.

If someone has a steady income or place to live they best stay where they are. Or go to Kali4neeya for benefits.

I totally agree my husband has a good job but we are so tired of Wisconsin brutal winters. We were looking at possibly relocating south while are children are still young, but that is one thing I am concerned about. We also are both called into ministry and our ordained ministers. I know the time is drawing near for us to be in ministry I just need to have faith to make that move. My husband could leave tomm. but I am more of a realist, you know being in season. It is so risky relocating right now, you know.

[ministers]

Originally Posted by catluvr

Can't say the economy is very good here. Hubby laid off almost 5 months and recruiting agencies are afraid they will be closing after many recruiter layoffs!

Word of wisdom for all wondering about relocation...if you don't have a job waiting for you in TX...do NOT come to TX.

I sooooooooo agree!!!

[ministers]

Originally Posted by inthecut

Worst thing for Texas....their economy suffers, and thousands of out-of-staters continue to swarm weekly......you may begin to see state unemployment boards mandate a 6-month residency before claiming benefits...maybe even 12 months....

I here you guys are getting alot of people from California, Michigan, and I think some even from Wisconsin.

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by ministers

I here you guys are getting alot of people from California, Michigan, and I think some even from Wisconsin.

They are....its as big as the 80's influx(the urban cowboy/Gilley's/Big Oil era).........everyone wants to be a cowboy and Texan now.....saddle up, pardner...

[WillysB]

WASHINGTON — Energy-state lawmakers vowed Friday to do everything they can to block President Barack Obama’s proposed $31.5 billion tax increase on oil and gas producers.

Who do you think is going to cover this 31.5 billion dollar increase? YEP, it's us.

K

Heh, you're so right. But hey, at least he's not going to increase taxes.

:need a smiley for cough cough: here

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by ministers

Hello, everyone I have heard some horror stories about other states in the U.S. but all I hear about in Texas is how good and strong your economy is. I am here in Wisconsin there are some jobs, but it is not booming like Texas. Is the economy really that strong there?

In answer to your question~No, Texas isn't the only state who is faring relatively well in this economic downturn. It seems to be doing better then most of the states, but my area is still hanging on, too.

The unemployment rate in So. Dak. was below 3%, but we are now up to 3.9% which is still good. But what the stats aren't showing is that many places have temporarily done away with the 40 hour work week and are now offering their employees 32 hours of work per week. It's still better then losing your job along with your health insurance, etc. Those stats also don't show that some places are cutting their employee wages by 5% or that they are reducing their retirement match to 1% vs. the 5% to 6% they'd contributed previously. Still, better then nothing at all.

The most recent stats that I saw show No. Dak. and Wyo. leading the pack with the lowest unemployment rates. They're my neighbors, so trust me~winters can be very brutal up here. I'm personally just waiting for an economic turn around so I'm able to find that perfect and warm area of the country to live in.

As far as the warmer states, Tx. and OK. seem to have the best economy at this point. Nothing to brag about, but still better then most areas.