Comptroller Combs touts Texas economy at event honoring Austin-area women

I had the great honor of being recognized among the “Texas Women Movers and Shakers” in Travis County last week.

I was humbled to be among some outstanding women who were recognized at a luncheon hosted by Rosemary Edwards and co-chaired by Katherine Armstrong and Polly Sowell.

Those recognized were Tina Benkiser, Deirdre Delisi, The Hon. Melissa Goodwin, Donna Keel, Teresa Spears, Pam Waggoner and Kathleen Hartnett White...and me.

Texas women are involved in every aspect of public policy and politics in Austin and around the state (and the nation).

Texas First Lady Anita Perry spoke as did Texas Comptroller Susan Combs.

Comptroller Combs provided some uplifting news about the Texas economy which reflects the policy decisions made in Austin.


Texas continues to fare better economically than most other states. With our mix of industries and avoidance of the housing price bubble, Texas should have more resistance to – but not immunity from – recessionary conditions.

• In fiscal 2008, Texas’ gross state product grew by 4.1 percent, versus 1.5 percent for the national economy.
• In the 12 months ending in September 2008, Texas gained almost 248,000 jobs, more than the next 14 top job-growth states combined.
• Over last 12 months, Texas accounts for 54 percent of entire job gains for all states.
• In the past five years, Texas added 1.3 million new jobs to our economy.
• Texas sales tax receipts for September 2008 increased 3.7 percent from the same month the year before.
• Consumer confidence across the nation is weak, as reflected in the lowest consumer confidence index numbers since 1992. Texas’ numbers remain fairly strong, however. In September, the U.S. index stood at 59.8 (with 1985 = 100). The Rust Belt region was 45. Texas’ regional index was 88.5 — the highest of any region in the nation.

Fiscal 2008 was strong for Texas, and although the Texas economy is still expanding, its rate of expansion is slowing. But Texas’ economy is in good shape relative to other states and the rest of the country.

It's thanks to Texas leaders, the women and the women behind the policies that Texas is doing so well relative to other states and the nation.

For more information, go to: http://www.texasahead.org/economy/outlook.html or www.GoodNewsInTexas.com.

-- Peggy Venable