Many thanks to Bill Avera, for speaking to the Social Issues Class Sunday Jan 25. Bill's perspectives on the economics of bailouts; value of education; and various options for making the economy improve were much appreciated.
A lasting comment to paraphrase (I hope this is at least close) came when he summarized his thesis adviser's perspective on the economy:
The potential upside for our economy is only limited by what we can think of in our minds. Unfortunately, the potential for how low our economy can go is also only limted by how bad we think it can get in our own minds.
Couple Bill's thoughts with Joseph's message about our perceptions of good things happening and we may have something good to think about.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Numbers Are In
The Comptroller report is in. $9.1 Billion shortfall. Statesman Article link here http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/01/13/0113revenue.html
Interesting backdrop for the Legislative Session.
Interesting backdrop for the Legislative Session.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Texas Impact Events
Texas Legislative session begins Tuesday.
Texas Impact events:
1. Monday Reception 5:30 PM First Methodist (donations accepted);
2. Interfaith Service 9:30 South steps of Capitol;
3. Legislative Advocacy Camp Tuesday 1-4PM (1st Methodist $25 for materials)
Texas Impact events:
1. Monday Reception 5:30 PM First Methodist (donations accepted);
2. Interfaith Service 9:30 South steps of Capitol;
3. Legislative Advocacy Camp Tuesday 1-4PM (1st Methodist $25 for materials)
January 11 - The State of Texas
During January we will review the upcoming legislative agenda and try to understand the economics behind the economy without the sensationalism of the headlines.
As an introduction to this we discussed the timetable of the legislature session and some of the existing information that has been available from the State departments to set the stage.
As we all now know, there will be a new Speaker in the Texas House and a new President in the White House. As I noted in the introduction Sunday I am hoping it is only serendipity and not prophesy that my radio was tuned to a station I do not normally listen to and played the Who's classic song "We Won't Get Fooled Again" (Meet the new boss same as the old boss....)
Topics:
State Controller's Report - A preview of the issues to be addressed in the actual report to the Leg that will set the budget http://www.texasahead.org/economy/outlook.html Overall Texas sounds pretty good compared to the nation. We know the Governor believes TX does not need support from the stimulus. We'll see what the numbers turn up. Do we think its all OK? The answer is no. Here are the notes we discussed.
(1) Jobs -
(a) US Job losses in Nov 524,000 – Texas gained 7,300
(2) Housing “Texas “has avoided the boom and bust cycle” of others
(3) Oil & Natural Gas
(a) Futures at $41.70 $103.61 below the peak price
(b) FY 2008 Tax collections from oil up 72%
(c) 2009???
(4) Fuel Prices
(a) Gas Tax Revenue decreased by 0.7 % in Nov
(b) Oct 08 miles driven down 2.8%
(5) Sales Tax Receipts
(a) Nov 08 up 4.7% vs. 07
(b) State sales tax for FY 2009 up 4.5% so far
(c) Motor vehicle Sales Tax collections down
(6) Consumer Confidence down 45%
2. There is a recurring theme from the State Demographer http://txsdc.utsa.edu/download/pdf/presentations/2008_12_11_TASSCC_State_of_the_State.pdf that emphasizes the need to improve education to close the income disparity between anglos and non-anglos. As the trends indicate that anglos will loose majority status between 2014 and 2020 and by 2040 Latinos will be the majority ethnic background. We discussed this with our Breakthrough Austin www.breakthroughaustin.org presentation.
We questioned whether education will really be addressed in the Leg.
3. Finally, The Comptroller's office also addresses education as a priority, particularly emphasizing the need to support CTE (career and technical education). The report discussing this is found at:
http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/workforce/PDF/09_Steps.pdf
With so much to do we look forward to the New Year with anticipation
As an introduction to this we discussed the timetable of the legislature session and some of the existing information that has been available from the State departments to set the stage.
As we all now know, there will be a new Speaker in the Texas House and a new President in the White House. As I noted in the introduction Sunday I am hoping it is only serendipity and not prophesy that my radio was tuned to a station I do not normally listen to and played the Who's classic song "We Won't Get Fooled Again" (Meet the new boss same as the old boss....)
Topics:
State Controller's Report - A preview of the issues to be addressed in the actual report to the Leg that will set the budget http://www.texasahead.org/economy/outlook.html Overall Texas sounds pretty good compared to the nation. We know the Governor believes TX does not need support from the stimulus. We'll see what the numbers turn up. Do we think its all OK? The answer is no. Here are the notes we discussed.
(1) Jobs -
(a) US Job losses in Nov 524,000 – Texas gained 7,300
(2) Housing “Texas “has avoided the boom and bust cycle” of others
(3) Oil & Natural Gas
(a) Futures at $41.70 $103.61 below the peak price
(b) FY 2008 Tax collections from oil up 72%
(c) 2009???
(4) Fuel Prices
(a) Gas Tax Revenue decreased by 0.7 % in Nov
(b) Oct 08 miles driven down 2.8%
(5) Sales Tax Receipts
(a) Nov 08 up 4.7% vs. 07
(b) State sales tax for FY 2009 up 4.5% so far
(c) Motor vehicle Sales Tax collections down
(6) Consumer Confidence down 45%
2. There is a recurring theme from the State Demographer http://txsdc.utsa.edu/download/pdf/presentations/2008_12_11_TASSCC_State_of_the_State.pdf that emphasizes the need to improve education to close the income disparity between anglos and non-anglos. As the trends indicate that anglos will loose majority status between 2014 and 2020 and by 2040 Latinos will be the majority ethnic background. We discussed this with our Breakthrough Austin www.breakthroughaustin.org presentation.
We questioned whether education will really be addressed in the Leg.
3. Finally, The Comptroller's office also addresses education as a priority, particularly emphasizing the need to support CTE (career and technical education). The report discussing this is found at:
http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/workforce/PDF/09_Steps.pdf
With so much to do we look forward to the New Year with anticipation
Monday, January 5, 2009
Middle East Peace Jan 4
Sunday January 4, 2009 (can it be?) Our discussion centered on the current state of affairs relating to Israel and Gaza. Sadly, as we enter the new year concerned about our own economic affairs we are brought back to the reality that in other parts of the world people are dying on both sides of a conflict that seems to have no end.
While we did not come up with a solution, we did discuss the lack of information we have regarding the relationships between the warring parties. Our views of country loyalites are often different than the loyalites and relationships in cultures that go back hundreds or thousands of years. A Financial Times article (11/22/08) referenced the relationship between certain Gaza family clans with more than 5000 members whose history extends over 300 years who have been battling with Hamas within Gaza. There was a general hope that the UN process would work to bring about a stop to the fighting, and a desire to get more information. It was suggested that the UN web site would be a good place to look for updates.
The UN has a daily briefing page at www.un.org The briefing page is http://www.un.org/News/ossg/hilites.htm
Finally, to put it in perspective, FG offers the following.
Good review of book, "A World of Trouble" about our long term mis-handling of the Middle East, in the Life --- section of the AA-S. Also, on further "research" I find the area of the Gaza Strip is only 14% of Travis Co. (139 sq. mi.) for a population density of about 10,000 per sq. mi. No wonder we didn't solve the problem today.
While we did not come up with a solution, we did discuss the lack of information we have regarding the relationships between the warring parties. Our views of country loyalites are often different than the loyalites and relationships in cultures that go back hundreds or thousands of years. A Financial Times article (11/22/08) referenced the relationship between certain Gaza family clans with more than 5000 members whose history extends over 300 years who have been battling with Hamas within Gaza. There was a general hope that the UN process would work to bring about a stop to the fighting, and a desire to get more information. It was suggested that the UN web site would be a good place to look for updates.
The UN has a daily briefing page at www.un.org The briefing page is http://www.un.org/News/ossg/hilites.htm
Finally, to put it in perspective, FG offers the following.
Good review of book, "A World of Trouble" about our long term mis-handling of the Middle East, in the Life --- section of the AA-S. Also, on further "research" I find the area of the Gaza Strip is only 14% of Travis Co. (139 sq. mi.) for a population density of about 10,000 per sq. mi. No wonder we didn't solve the problem today.
Health Care - Dec 28
For our December 28 class a small but loyal group met to recap the issues relating to health care.
A main topic was a hope that the discussion relating to health care options could stay away from sound bytes and fears, and instead focus on the realities of the alternatives that are out there. In this regard, we noted that most of us did not have direct experience with a single payer system (think Canada, UK, etc) and that the debate over the health care options often gets reduced to perceptions that generate fear rather than building solutions.
Those interested in participating more fully can attend meetings of the group Health Care for All Texans (not affiliated) which meets the last Monday of the month, while the venue recently changed from Carver Library to Little Walnut Creek Library 835 Rundberg . Note that this group is openly in favor of single payer solutions. If there are other meeting groups with a different focus we will try to pass them on. Their background is noted below.
HCFAT supports single payer healthcare. The group was founded by Ana Malinow, M.D. who teaches at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
HCFAT has chapters in Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, and in Austin.
A main topic was a hope that the discussion relating to health care options could stay away from sound bytes and fears, and instead focus on the realities of the alternatives that are out there. In this regard, we noted that most of us did not have direct experience with a single payer system (think Canada, UK, etc) and that the debate over the health care options often gets reduced to perceptions that generate fear rather than building solutions.
Those interested in participating more fully can attend meetings of the group Health Care for All Texans (not affiliated) which meets the last Monday of the month, while the venue recently changed from Carver Library to Little Walnut Creek Library 835 Rundberg . Note that this group is openly in favor of single payer solutions. If there are other meeting groups with a different focus we will try to pass them on. Their background is noted below.
HCFAT supports single payer healthcare. The group was founded by Ana Malinow, M.D. who teaches at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
HCFAT has chapters in Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, and in Austin.
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