All of the oil states, including Texas, recognized the fact that they need to diversify their economy, and that oil/gas alone is not sufficient. The last 5 years is proof. In 2012 during the height of the shale oil boom, Texas economy grew by 6%. In 2016 it dropped to a measly +0.4%. It was actually in negative territory in the first half of 2016. So far in 2017, the state has been struggling with +0.6 - +0.9%. For the first time in 10 years, unemployment ticked above the nation’s average.
Texas recognized this, and for more than a decade the state have been working hard at growing their green energy and high tech sectors. Rick Perry actually did a good job of that. Austin has become the high tech capital of Texas. The city is doing better than the rest of Texas. Unemployment is at 1.5% lower than the state’s average. Texas is the no. 2 State for H-1B visa arrivals.
The economic growth and diversity come at a price. As history has shown, your young affluent tech workers tend to be liberals. Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and El Paso metro areas are turning liberals. There is tension now between the state government and these liberal cities. Sometimes, over the silliest thing. Like trees.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/art...d-11261363.php