Texas on the Brink - Just Where Does Rick Perry's Texas Rank?

When Texas governor Rick Perry banters about Texas seceding from the
Union, some write it off as political theater-speak, some dismiss it as
ludicrous, and some take it to heart.

There is an idealized view of Texas out there, given over to the
"everything big" myth, imagining a wide-open Texas, full of opportunity
for all of it's citizenry. But just what does living in a
near-permanent red state get you?

A Texas state senator from El Paso has for the past few years compiled
a report called "Texas on the Brink." It details how Texas ranks
nationally in several key areas. What does it point to? If Texas did
secede, it might soon be ranked as a "failed state."

Following are some of the "highlights" from the report.

You get what you pay for - Texas ranks 49th in revenues collected per
capita, and 50th in revenues spent.

The state also ranks 44th on tax progressivity, meaning although it
collects less taxes overall, more of a share comes from the working
class.

Texas comes in dead last (50th) in percent of population over 25 who
have a high school diploma. 46th in SAT scores, and 49th in teacher
pay. But hey, the Texas school board has ordered that all schools teach
the bible in the upcoming school year!

How does the family do in the Lone Star State?

Texas ranks last in the percentage of people without medical insurance.
It also ranks dead last in the number of covered children, 49th in
level of payments for the Women and Infant Children (WIC) program, but
1st in the number of teenage births.

Texas ranks 3rd in number of people living in poverty and 50th in
homeowners insurance affordability.

And hey, Texan politicians come in 3rd as to number of convicted public
officials! Dead last in voter turnout, though. First in executions and
2nd in rate of incarceration only manage to get Texas up to 18th in
murder rate.

What about the environment?

Air pollution emissions, CO2 emissions, amount of volatile organic
compounds released into the air, amount of toxic chemicals released
into water, amount of carcinogens released into the air - all number
one!

Texas ranks 46th in hourly earnings for manufacturing workers, 47th for
union membership, and 48th in worker's compensation benefits paid per
covered worker. Don't get hurt at work in Texas, eh?

There are quite a few more numbers, but you get the point. Texas under
Rick Perry, and George Bush before him, has marched boldly in reverse.

If Texas did secede, it would most likely solve it's illegal
immigration problem. Texans might even pour across the borders to get
out!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2147181/texas_on_the_brink_just_where_does.html?c
at=9

Full report [pdf]:
http://shapleigh.org/system/reporting_document/file/255/Texas_on_the_Brink_2009_website_fi
nal.pdf

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