Special Reports http://www.window.state.tx.us/publications/ Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:00:00 -0500 Drew's Custom Code v 1.0 en-us drew.scherz@cpa.state.tx.us(Drew Scherz) http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.window.state.tx.us/finances/pubs/citizens/2012/ A Report to the Citizens of Texas (Texas CCR) is our state's citizen-centric report, highlighting State of Texas financial information in a concise, easily understood format. Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/finances/pubs/citizens/2012/ http://www.keepingtexasfirst.org The 2013 Update highlights the activities of the Task Force in response to the challenges posed by the Endangered Species Act, potential economic impacts and steps that can be taken to protect our state’s economy. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:00:00 -0500 http://www.keepingtexasfirst.org http://www.texastransparency.org/yourmoney/roadmap/ Our new report provides a road map for policymakers and decision-makers to follow and shows how Texans can exercise their rights as taxpayers to help ensure that government remains open and responsive. Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.texastransparency.org/yourmoney/roadmap/index.php http://www.texastransparency.org/yourmoney/pensions/ Our Texas, It’s Your Money series spotlights issues that hit Texans in their wallets: local taxes and local government and education debt. The latest report explores the thorny issue of public pension plans facing shortfalls. Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.texastransparency.org/yourmoney/pensions/ http://www.texasahead.org/texasfirst/news_impact/case_studies.php The dunes sagebrush lizard (DSL) is native to shinnery oak dunes in the Permian Basin in West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico. What makes this critical to the economy of the state is that the DSL habitat lies in the middle of one of the nation’s most productive oil and gas formations – Texas’ Permian Basin. This report focuses on the actions undertaken to address the potentially damaging economic outcome the listing the dunes sagebrush lizard would have caused in Texas. Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.texasahead.org/texasfirst/news_impact/case_studies.php http://www.texastransparency.org/yourmoney/index.php Debt held by public schools and institutions of higher education accounts for more than one-third of local government debt - growing faster than inflation or enrollment. Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:30:00 -0500 http://www.texastransparency.org/yourmoney/edudebt/ http://www.texastransparency.org/yourmoney/localdebt/ This new report "Your Money and Local Debt" (PDF) will help you find out about the debt governments are taking on in your name, what the debt is buying and how much it will cost. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:00:00 -0500 http://www.texastransparency.org/yourmoney/localdebt/ http://www.texastransparency.org/yourmoney/localtax/ This report, “Your Money and the Taxing Facts” (PDF), offers a detailed look at your community’s taxing entities, valuable context on local tax trends, and tools to empower you to learn more about why and how you are taxed, and how to ensure your voice is heard. Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.texastransparency.org/yourmoney/localtax/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/healthcare/2012/ The federal health care legislation signed into law in March 2010 promises to create challenges for private employers in Texas and around the nation. It's important to know what our business community thinks of these changes, and what impacts they anticipate. Texas Business Attitudes Toward Federal Health Care Reform reveals the positions and opinions of the leaders and membership of two of Texas' most prominent business organizations. Tue, 03 Mar 2012 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/healthcare/2012/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/drought/ The Comptroller’s latest report discusses the effects of 2011’s harsh drought, and the Texas Water Development Board’s estimates of what will be needed to ensure adequate water supplies in the future. The report also discusses innovative methods for increasing water availability, and highlights what cities in the Southwest have done to expand their supplies of this essential resource. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/drought/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/healthcare/ This report captures the total costs to the state of health care, including direct health-related services and the accompanying administrative costs. Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/healthcare/2011/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/finances/pubs/citizens/ A Report to the Citizens of Texas (Texas CCR) is our state's citizen-centric report, highlighting State of Texas financial information in a concise, easily understood format. Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/finances/pubs/citizens/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/privacy/ This report examines the volume and types of personal information that Texas state government agencies collect, maintain and – in some cases – are authorized to disclose and sell. Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/privacy/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/obesitycost/ This is a follow-up to the 2007 report that outlines the cost of obesity to Texas businesses and provides strong recommendations to address the state's obesity crisis on all levels: in our schools, businesses and communities. Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/obesitycost/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxbud/bre2012/ Read Comptroller Susan Combs' Biennial Revenue Estimate, which reports to the Legislature how much money is available to spend in the 2012-13 state budget. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:45:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxbud/bre2012/ http://www.texasahead.org/reports/incentives/ An Analysis of Texas Economic Development Incentives provides information to help evaluate existing state business incentives. Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.texasahead.org/reports/incentives/ http://www.FASTexas.org/study/ The Financial Allocation Study for Texas examines school spending and student academic achievement. Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.FASTexas.org/study/ http://txendangeredspecies.org/report/2010/index.html This report details the activities of the task force since its creation and provides helpful information on threatened and endangered species in Texas as well as programs available to assist landowners and communities in conserving these species. Monday, 22 Nov 2010 10:00:00 -0500 http://txendangeredspecies.org/report/2010/index.html http://www.window.state.tx.us/finances/noRegrets/report/ This report contains a list of strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions that: result in net savings for Texas consumers or businesses; can be achieved without financial cost to consumers or businesses; or help businesses in Texas maintain global competitiveness. Monday, 08 Nov 2010 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/finances/noRegrets/report/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/altschedule/ The 2009 General Appropriations Act (Tex. SB. 1, Art. 1, Rider 15) directed the Texas Comptroller's office to conduct a study on the establishment of a four-day, 40-hour workweek for state employees... Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/altschedule/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/healthFed/ In March 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (HR 3590) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HR 4872) into law. This report includes our preliminary estimates of these effects. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:30:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/healthFed/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/gulf/ The Gulf Coast region consists of 13 counties along and near Texas’ upper coast. Its diverse industrial mix makes it a linchpin of the Texas economy. This report examines the forces driving change in the region, and the factors affecting its economy. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:30:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/gulf/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/alamo/ The Alamo region consists of 19 counties stretching across south-central Texas, from the limestone bluffs of the Hill Country to the ports and beaches of the Gulf Coast. The report examines the forces driving change in the Alamo region, as well as factors affecting the development of its economy... Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/alamo/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/urgrande/ Texas’ Upper Rio Grande region consists of six counties in the state's westernmost area. The report examines the forces driving change in the Upper Rio Grande region, as well as factors affecting the development of its economy... Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/urgrande/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/central/ The Central Texas region is a 20-county area stretching across the state's heart. The report examines the forces driving change in Central Texas, as well as factors affecting the development of its economy... Tue, 05 May 2008 11:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/central/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/water/ Liquid Assets: The State of Texas’ Water Resources discusses the current and future water resources in Texas, the practical and policy barriers faced by local and state water planners and the possible funding mechanisms that could be tapped to develop our water resources. The report also provides information on the current status of water management strategies in the 16 water planning regions in the state. State and regional decision makers will be able to use this report as a tool to drive sound and prudent water policy in the state. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/water/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxbud/bre2010/ Read Comptroller Susan Combs’ Biennial Revenue Estimate, which reports to the Legislature how much money is available to spend in the 2010-11 state budget. Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:45:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxbud/bre2010/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/workforce/ The report examines the changing Texas job market and the growing shortage of workers with the technical skills required for many of the fastest growing jobs. The report recommends establishing a fund to help with startup costs for new technical training programs and eliminating obstacles that discourage students from pursuing career-technical education (CTE). Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:15:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/workforce/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/mmedia/ This report first summarizes current trends in the media industry and how Texas compares with other states. It then examines the current and potential economic and fiscal impacts of the media industry in the state of Texas and compares new state revenues with the estimated amount of cash grants to be awarded to the moving media industry in 2008. The report presents a discussion of strategies the state may wish to consider to help stimulate the industry and improve Texas’ competitive position in the marketplace for the production of film and digital media. Thu, 01 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/mmedia/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/uppereast/ The report examines the forces driving change in Upper East Texas, as well as factors affecting the development of its economy... Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/uppereast/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/hb3070/96-1350_Home_Energy_Eff_HB3070.pdf The Comptroller’s State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) conducted a comprehensive study to identify methods for providing home energy efficiency information to consumers. An committee comprising state and local government agency representatives, homebuilders, building code officials, utility providers, real estate agents and mortgage lenders provided expertise in this effort. We are pleased to provide the study findings in this report... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/hb3070/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/parks/ The benefits of state parks are well-known: they preserve unspoiled land, they offer opportunities for recreation and education and they provide protection for our watersheds and endangered species. But parks also benefit our state and local economies as well. With this report, we hope to highlight the economic benefits of state parks... Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/parks/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/energy/ The Energy Report is a reference tool for anyone seeking to understand the current Texas energy environment. Texas will meet future energy demands using a wide variety of resources, and our state will benefit from the increasing diversification of the nation’s energy portfolio... Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/energy/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/southtexas/ The report examines the forces driving change in South Texas, as well as factors affecting the development of its economy... Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/southtexas/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/highplains/ The report examines the forces driving change in the High Plains, as well as factors affecting the development of its economy... Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/highplains/ http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/ Texas’ growth poses complex challenges. Understanding the hurdles is the first step toward addressing and overcoming them. This report provides an overview of the issues and opportunities Texas faces... Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/tif/