1. Contemporary Issues in Texas

2. Vocabulary
Globalization- the process of increasing connectivity between the world’s societies.
Demographers- those who study statistical data about human populations

3. Impact of Boom & Bust Cycles of Leading Texas Industries
Oil & Gas Production
During the 1970s & 1980s, a worldwide oil shortage caused Texas oil to be in great demand, due to the 1973 OPEC Oil Embargo & 1979 Oil Crisis. The result was an increase in oil production.
When oil producers in the Middle East increased production in the 1980s, oil prices dropped and Texas faced hard economic times.
State leaders worked to diversify the Texas economy to avoid similar problems.
Real Estate
During the late 1970s when unemployment was low, real estate was in demand and building expanded.
Unemployment increased during the early 1980s due to the energy crisis and banking sandals; demand for real estate decreased.
By the early 1990s the economy improved and so did real estate demand.
Banking
During the late 1980s, Texas Savings & Loans were implicated in land flips and other criminal activities. Half of the failed Savings & Loans were from Texas, pushing that state into recession. As bad investments were actioned off, real estate prices collapsed, office vacancy rose to 30%, and crude oil prices fell 50%.
By the 2000s, loans were taken out by people buying homes, commercial properties, auto mobiles, etc. When the economy began to slow, people lost jobs and could not pay the loans back.
Computer Technology
The technology business has been on the increase in Texas since the 1970s and booming, especially in Austin and Dallas.

4. Property Taxes Used to Fund Public Education
Political Impact
Each session there is a high demand by citizens to reform how public education is funded.
The legislature has to occasionally revisit the issue due to court judgements
Economic Impact
Top rate for local property taxes set by the state with many communities as high as they can go by law.
Fast growing school districts and districts with little industrial base are challenged by lack of funding.

5. Education What are your thoughts about the
Fiscal Year
Texas Ranking
Texas Avg. Expenditure Per Pupil
U.S. Avg. Expenditure Per Pupil
Difference
1999 25
$5,970
$6,251
($281)
2000 29
$6,325
$6,824
($499)
2001 32
$6,581
$7,296
($715)
2002
$6,850
$7,548
($698)
2003 34
$7,210
$8,065
($855)
2004 36
$7,214
$8,308
($1,094)
2005 40
$7,142
$8,618
($1,476)
Consider a discussion on the Feb 2012 court decision that ruled the Texas system of financing schools unconstitutional. This case will likely be appealed.
Source: Texas State Comptroller
What are your thoughts about the
financing of Texas education?
Source: Texas State Comptroller
©2012, TESCCC

6. Transportation Political Impact: Economic Impact: Social Impact:
Decision to increase taxes or partner with the federal government to acquire funding to build highways, roads, and bridges.
Economic Impact:
Toll roads are built to fund and maintain highways, roads, and bridges.
Social Impact:
Increases pollution
Increased urban congestion

7. Immigration Political Impact: Economic Impact: Social Impact:
Debate about reform of immigration policies
Economic Impact:
Supplied cheap labor for construction, restaurant and other manufacturing industries in Texas
Social Impact:
Number of immigrants who are not citizens using government services
Challenging when children are citizens while their parents are not citizens.

8. Immigration Where are most people living who have immigrated to Texas?
Infer the type of jobs immigrants will find in these regions.
Image credit:
Texas State Data Center. (Designer). (2009). Estimated international migration (2000‐2008) by county as a percentage of 2000 population [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC

9. Migration Political Impact: Economic Impact: Social Impact:
Increased population leads to more representation in the U.S. Congress and the electoral college.
Changes in political views
Economic Impact:
Increase in economic opportunities
Growth of construction industry
Social Impact:
Increase population especially in urban areas with diverse backgrounds.

10. Population 20th Century 21st Century
In 1900, the population of Texas was over 3 million.
By 1930, the population of Texas had doubled, making Texas the fifth largest state in terms of population in the U.S.
Immigration accounts for most of the population increase in the early 1900s with many immigrants coming from Mexico.
21st Century
Urban areas continue to grow today.
The population growth in Texas is concentrated in urban areas with both small and large cities experiencing growth.
Texas has six of the nation’s largest cities- San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, & El Paso

11. Population
Based on the data on the graph, which issue will be most affected?
Education
Health Care
Transportation
Image credit:
Texas State Data Center. (Designer). (2013). U.s. and texas population by age, 2006 [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC

12. Population
Texas Population Growth, 1980 – 2040
Population Projections, in millions
What is the growth rate of the Texas population between 1980 and 2040?
Image credit:
Texas State Data Center. (Designer). (2013). Texas population growth, 1980–2040 [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC

13. Limited Water Resources
What are ways Texans have adapted or modified to drought conditions?
Image source:
U.S. Drought Monitor. (Designer). (2011). U.s. drought monitor: Texas [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC

14. Alternative Energy Sources
Most wind farms are located in which Texas region?
Image source:
Office of the Governor. (Artist). (2012). Texas wind farm locations [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
©2012, TESCCC

15. Boom and Bust Industries
What are two booming industries?
Were these industries important at the turn of the 20th century?
What are two industries that are declining?
Do you think they will continue to decline? Why?
Image source:
Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. (Artist). (2011, November). Texas employment growth by industry, [Web Graphic].
©2012, TESCCC

16. Texas Economy National and International
Why are Texas exports profitable goods?
To which continent does Texas export most of its goods?
Image source (all):
Texas Economic Development Division. (Artist). (2011). Trade & export: International trade [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from