I’m proud to be a native Texan, and I have never lived anywhere else. I’ve passed up several professional opportunities without hesitation simply because they would require me to reside outside the Lone Star State. Suffice it to say, no matter how much some may wish it, I’m not leaving.
With a Texas birthright comes a host of privileges and responsibilities. Among my many privileges has been the honor of visiting all parts of this majestic state—urban, suburban, rural, border, North, South, East, and West—on a regular basis. In doing so, I have enjoyed talking with folks from all walks of life and discussing with them what makes our state so great and what can make it even better.
As an economist, I have the responsibility of sharing what I have learned through these experiences as well as from the myriad in-depth research endeavors in which I have been involved over the years.
Thus, it was with great excitement that I recently prepared a statewide economic development analysis for Texas Economic Development (TxED). This report, which ended up being more than 400 pages in two volumes, was a daunting and challenging task. Even so, it gave me a chance to bring to bear 25 years of experience in studying all facets of the Texas economy at such a critical juncture in our state’s history. I was also able to pull decades of public policy and economic development experience and extensive modeling systems into the effort.
Since I prepared the analysis on a pro bono basis and have no plans to seek public office, I had the great luxury of being candid in my assessments. We have big issues to confront in Texas, and there is no useful purpose served in ignoring or avoiding them.
I started the project with a blank canvas and attempted to paint a broad portrait. I sought to cover as many areas as possible, and I tried to be practical and provide meaningful context to properly frame major issues. In approaching the analysis, I maintained a deep respect for the principle of limited government, but recognized that there are some very real arenas in which the State must be involved to secure our economic prosperity and destiny.
Similarly, I conducted the analysis with a strong belief in the marvelous abilities and powers of markets, realizing of course that they do not do all things perfectly.
The study is entitled “Texas, Our Texas: An Assessment of Economic Development Programs and Prospects in the Lone Star State.” It’s available for review on two websites—www.tded.state.tx.us and www.perrymangroup.com.
It examines the economic development prospects of Texas from many viewpoints and provides frameworks that properly characterize the environment and requisite responses. Various issues facing Texas are discussed, and profiles and perspectives are included for all the state’s planning regions and metropolitan statistical areas. Target industry clusters appropriate for specific areas are suggested and detailed explanations regarding the advantages of these clusters are presented.
Recent economic weakness, coming on the heels of a decade of remarkable progress, has led to increased dialog and efforts to proactively promote expansion in Texas. I am not naďve enough to think that everything I suggested will occur overnight. Resource and cost constraints are a fact of life, and I dare say that some of my recommendations could prove a bit controversial. Nevertheless, if careful thought is given, vigorous debate occurs, and some of the items contained in the report are at least modestly put into motion, then much will have been accomplished for the place I call home.