Is Texas the only state not affected by the economy? (Houston: layoffs, construction)

[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?

[ahzzie]

No it's not. Layoffs are starting here too, maybe not as bad as other areas but definitely happening.

[ministers]

Originally Posted by ahzzie

No it's not. Layoffs are starting here too, maybe not as bad as other areas but definitely happening.

I kinda of figured that, it seems like everywhere is feeling the economy. So many people are being laid off. It is just horrible what is happening in California.

[destin04]

We are starting to have some lay-offs. The problem is that the building industry is really suffering...which causes construction workers to get laid off....freight companies are laying off because people aren't ordering as much freight....and the oil industry...well....that's the down side to low gas prices.

[Poltracker]

Even the hospitals are starting to lay off or putting in hiring freezes. Texas is a great place but not a Utopia immune from the economy.

[FarNorthDallas]

Texas was just late to the party. Hopefully, it will be LIFO - last in, first out.

[Alatex]

Yes, Texas seems to be holding up as well as anywhere.

In terms of housing, here's a list of the top 20 metro areas nationally for percentage appreciation in housing prices for the 2008 calendar year (page 28): http://www.ofheo.gov/media/hpi/4q08hpi.pdf

1. Decatur, AL +6.58%
2. Monroe, LA +6.29%
3. Kingsport,TN +6.26%
4. Tuscaloosa,AL +4.84%
5. Lubbock, TX +4.55%
6. Austin, TX +4.44%
7. Yakima, WA +4.35%
8. Montgomery,AL +4.06%
9. Huntsville,AL +3.78%
10. Houston,TX +3.72%
11. Billings,MT +3.61%
12. Rapid City,SD +3.60%
13. Greenville,SC +3.23%
14. Florence, SC +3.14%
15. Beaumont,TX +3.14%
16. Anderson,SC +3.13%
17. Boulder,CO +2.99%
18. Raleigh,NC +2.96%
19. Bismarck,ND +2.84%
20. Syracuse, NY +2.82%

[ironlady]

Yeah, I agree with the other posters. Texas is affected, just not as affected. I live in L.A., and my parents own an antique mall in a small town East Texas. They say business is down, other owners in town are closing up shop... but it is still nothing like what is going on in California.

[love roses]

We were lucky. My husband is in the freight business (truck driver) and he had his truck stolen, so lost his job. While he was looking, he found that there were hiring freezes all over the place. Luckily he found another job, but it was a little scary for a while.

[killer2021]

I would say a big reason TX is doing well is because the government actually balanced its budget. Also TX has a rather limited government so business can be more successful here. CA is learning the hard way when you think you can tax people and then try to use the government to master plan an economy.

Only good government is no government.