We Texans like to brag about being #1, so I want to give you some figures that support that our #1 rankings. Then, just so you don’t get to big headed about being #1, some figures of our bottom of the barrel rankings.
Texas on the Brink
A Report from the Texas Legislative Study Group
The State of Our State
LSG serves as a primary conduit for the flow of information to legislators on the House floor, during the legislative session. Full time, expert staff focused on key policy areas provide detailed analysis of bills which fall into one of five areas of interest: education, environment, budget, health and human services, and worker and consumer issues. Each area of interest has a specific LSG staff member assigned to track and analyze legislation.
How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States
February 2011 ~ Fifth Edition
We’re #1
Percent of Uninsured Children 1st
Percent of Population Uninsured 1st
Percent of Non-Elderly Uninsured 1st
Amount of Carbon Dioxide Emissions 1st
Amount of Volatile Organic Compounds Released into Air 1st
Amount of Toxic Chemicals Released into Water 1st
Amount of Recognized Cancer-Causing Carcinogens Released into Air 1st
Amount of Hazardous Waste Generated 1st
Number of Executions 1st
Bottom of the Barrel
Percent of Population 25 and Older with a High School Diploma 50th
State & Local Expenditures per Pupil in Public Schools 44th
Percent of Population with Employer-Based Health Insurance 48th
Per Capita State Spending on Mental Health 50th
Health Care Expenditures per Capita 44th
Percent of Non-Elderly Women without Health Insurance 50th
Workers’ Compensation Coverage 50th
Homeowner’s Insurance Affordability 46th
In the 2008-2009 school year, Texas 4th graders who were proficient in reading fell 4 percent below the national level with reading levels of 28 percent proficiency. In the 2008-2009 school year, Texas 8th graders who were proficient in reading fell 3 percent below the national level with reading levels of 27 percent proficiencyPercent of Voting-Age Population that Votes 45th
Women’s Voter Turnout 49th
You don’t like these numbers …
Do something about it.
Get Involved:
- Call, write, or demonstrate at the Texas State Legislature
- Write letters to the editor of your local paper
- Run for office
- Talk to friends and neighbors about the sad state of affairs our state is in because of years of neglect by Governor Perry and the Republican Legislature and the new disasters they are creating during the current legislative session.
- Support your local Democratic Party—come to meetings and events, and donate time and/or financial support.
