Guardian UK: Texas poverty figures challenge Rick Perry jobs record

[marmar]

Republican frontrunner Rick Perry has put his economic record as Texas governor at the heart of his presidential nomination campaign, but a report has painted a stark picture of rising unemployment and spiralling poverty in the state.

The policy paper, published by the Austin-based non-partisan Center for Public Policy Priorities, said poverty in Texas was currently higher than the rest of the US and was growing faster.

The paper said poverty rates in Texas had jumped from 17.3% in 2009 to 18.4% in 2010, and compared them to figures for the US of 14.3% in 2009, rising to 15.1% in 2010. That suggests there are currently around 4.6m Texans living in poverty, which is currently defined as an income of $22,113 a year for a family of four.

Frances Deviney, one of the CPPP co-authors of the study, said the figures showed Texas's recent economic policies were not improving the lot of many ordinary Texans, even though some segments of Texan society did well at high income levels. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/15/texas-poverty-rick-perry-jobs

[w8liftinglady]

1. No big shock here. we lead in poor and uninsured

I know- because I care for these folks.
People who put off going to the doctor to save a few bucks.
80 year-olds working full-time making minimum wage to support great-grandkids.
yes- here in Texas.

[Mimosa]

2. K&R. n/t