Texas is Getting Back to Work

Texas is getting back to work with a new program Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst created back in April.

It pays employers to hire the unemployed.
   
And he stopped in Midland today to talk about the achievements it's made, especially here in the Basin.

The program has helped about 7,600 Texans since April.

Thats why Governor Dewhurst believes it is a win-win for Texas.

Not only does it help the unemployed but it  refuels the economy.

Some of the unemployed in Texas are getting help.

"It's a real win-win, folks that don't have a job right now they have a fire under their belly and want to work," said Dewhurst.

And Dewhurst is feeling good about what this incentive can do.

"Saves the state of Texas money, helps the self esteem of the worker take care of their families, and helps increase productivity of the businesses," said Dewhurst.

The Texas back to work program is paying employers $2,000 every un-employed person they hire.

"There is a financial incentive to go ahead and hire that person, it pays for the training," said Dewhurst.

It's meant for people who have exhausted their unemployment benefits and make less than %$15.00 dollars an hour.

And here in the basin its helped...

"52 workers have been hired, but were standing here today in Nabors Well Services and the managers said they are short two hundred employees so their is lots of opportunity here," said Dewhurst.

Nabors Well Services maintains oil rigs for oil companies across the Basin.

And Manager Robert Segura has aleady hired 14 employees from Texas Back to Work.

He feels it will grow self esteem along with his workforce.

"Yes we have hired people as swampers that become truck drivers and that truck drivers become supervisors. This gives them the opportunity to get a job but also turn this into a career," said Segura.

But Dewhurst stressed that this is not only about a career making opportunity.

It's the opportunity itself.

"Whether they are driving trucks and working on crews, or working in an office, we're trying to get everyone we can back to work," said Dewhurst.

Dewhurst said that Midland is doing a great job in keeping people working.

The unemployment rate here in Midland is at 5.6 percent, the lowest in Texas.

Dewhurst attributes good business practices to this number.

He also believes that there is still more to be done and more people to hire.

Since we're doing so well here in the Basin, he hopes companies will do just that.