Job engine

“Texas, the Jobs Engine” is an opinion piece from the American Statesman written by Rick Wartzman. Wartzman’s main argument is that Texas has succeeded in creating new jobs over the past two years, despite other economic problems.

Wartzman gives several pieces of evidence to give support to his claim. He states that Texas created “43 percent of the net new jobs in the United States from June 2009 through May 2011.” Wartzman then goes on to explain why Texas was able grow when other states struggled. He argues that Texas is able to attract businesses because of its low taxation rates and regulations. Texas law also makes product liability and class-action suits more difficult for individuals to win. Another reason for Texas’ success in job creation has to do with the industries that comprise the state economy, including energy sources and agricultural products produced for export. These factors all contributed in some fashion to Texas’ recent success in job creation.

Wartzman points out that not all aspects of the recent job creation have been positive. While Texas has created many new jobs, several are low-wage, low-benefit employment opportunities. He maintains that Texas, a “right to work state”, is tied with Mississippi with the largest percentage of workers earning less than or equal to minimum wage. Another downside of job creation has to do with funding for public education. Recent budget shortcomings, perhaps due at least partially to Texas’ low tax rates, are forcing the state to cut spending on education, potentially creating a less-educated workforce in future generations. Despite the economic problems facing the state, Wartzman is sure to point out that credit must be given to the state for its success in job creation.

I agree with Wartzman. Regardless of whether or not Texas is experiencing economic hardships, the state is definitely succeeding in creating jobs. I have had the pleasure of meeting a few new people from other states and have heard the same story for their reason for moving to Texas, more opportunities to find work. While reading through the most recent participation topics, I discovered a number of my fellow classmates are not native Texans, but moved to this area for employment.

Wartzman’s most likely audience is made up of Democrats and left-leaning Independents. This assumption is based on the author’s comments that seem to defend Texas’ job creation against critiques of other political and economic commentators that seem to focus on the negative aspects of the state’s economy. His language also suggests he is writing for left-leaning readers when he writes, “But for those on the left to dismiss the state's jobs story out of hand, just because Republicans have embraced it as a showpiece, is counterproductive and foolish.”

Wartzman’s credibility comes from serving as the Executive Director of the Drucker Institute at Claremont Graduate University.