Lubbock - Economy Still Beating Odds

Lubbock economy still beating odds
(Economy : Lubbock) 4/10/2009

Lubbock area consumers apparently aren't ready to throw in the towel during a recession that has gripped other cities across the state and many more across the nation, based on sales tax rebate figures released by the Comptroller of Public Accounts. The city saw an 8.79 percent increase in its rebate payment or $3.66 million in February 2009, compared to $3.37 million for the same year ago period. Year-to-date rebate payments made to the city rose by 4.23 percent to $16.50 million, compared to $15.83 million for the same year ago period.

As a percentage increase, Lubbock was the best performer among the state's top 20 cities. Other than Lubbock, only Corpus Christi, Midland and Grand Prairie saw positive year-over-year results for the month ranging from 2.34 percent to 6.91 percent. Lubbock performed substantially better than other Texas cities for the month. Rebate checks returned to Dallas fell by 8.27 percent; Austin - down 14.75 percent; San Antonio - by 6.10 percent and Plano - off 14.64 percent.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said the state received $1.58 billion in sales tax revenue for March - down 3.8 percent.

The April payment report reflected collections from retailers in February 2009.