Texas falls

Lawmakers could do more to counter slide in CNBC’s annual ranking

Texans are known for braggadocio, and it used to be the friendly kind wrapped in a humility filled connection to gratitude for living here.

But as great a state as we have, our bragging has gotten a bit stale. Some of our braggarts are not filled with Texas friendliness, particularly in the political arena.

One index, the annual business friendly rankings by CNBC business news channel, saw Texas drop out of the top five for the first time since the rankings began in 2007.

The latest rankings in CNBC’s report had the state coming in sixth, behind North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Minnesota.

Texas still fares better than most and even scored second in its economy and skilled workforce.

But it was dinged for a variety of other issues ranging from concerns abouts its power grid, aging water utilities, chintzy per-pupil spending in public education, skyrocketing housing costs and controversial social policies, including one of the strictest abortion bans in the nation and an ongoing “crackdown,” also known as harassment, of gay rights.

“For all of Texas’ strengths, serious problems are worsening,” CNBC stated.

Texas fell to 24th for infrastructure, 35th for education, and to dead last, 50th, for the “life, health and inclusion” ranking. “With workers in short supply, companies are seeking to locate in states that can attract a broad array of talent.”

The state also was third worst in the country for its electric grid, where Texan residents average 20 hours a year without power.

Houston Chronicle business columnists/reporters Erica Grieder and Chris Tomlinson also brought up the state’s poor healthcare access and affordability, and a “legacy of stinginess.”

Texas still leads the nation in job creation, and that is no small feat. But that has more to do with the state’s entrepreneurs than its politicians.

The Lone Star State has topped CNBC’s list four times and taken second another seven times.

Perhaps we can get back to the No. 1 ranking, but there are some things to address. Lawmakers sitting on a $32-billion surplus failed, as yet, to address teacher compensation — hopefully that will happen later this summer — or rural healthcare access.

Grieder told The Texas Standard that perhaps Texas lawmakers have coasted on their laurels too long and gotten complacent.

That may be true. It may also be that lawmakers are coasting and ignoring quality of life issues.

Texas continues to attract talent and companies, so it’s doubtful politicos are worried much about a TV channel’s ranking. But decisions to put off electric grid work, the continued second-tier concern for public education and pushing of vouchers, along with creeping, invasive social policies, will all catch up with the state eventually. It takes years for these policies to show up in negative ways.

But as this latest ranking shows, it does start to show up and affect quality of life. — K.E.C.