Texas Appleseed conducted a survey of payday borrowers and recently released a report, "Short-term Cash, Long-term Debt: the Impact of Unregulated Lending in Texas."  The survey found that a majority of respondents needed short-term credit to cover recurring expenses like rent, food or bills; a third of them needed short-term credit for an emergency. Single women and single mothers were more likely to use payday loans than other groups.  Find this report and others at www.TexasAppleseed.

After declining slightly for three consecutive months, the unemployment rate for the Austin-Round Rock MSA rose in May to 5.9% from 5.5% the month before.  Workforce Solutions Capital Area reports that the decrease occurred mainly in the Manufacturing and Retail sectors.

Even though the Unemployment rate was up, the Austin MSA added 5,500 jobs in May.  This was the fourth straight month of net job growth.  For more information, visit the Workforce solutions website at www.wfscapitalarea.com.

The chart below compares Austin with the U.S. and other Texas metro areas and was created by the Austin Chamber of Commerce.  Read this Chamber analysis "Central Texas Economy in Perspective" which is a regular feature in @theChamber.

The Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is on the verge of falling into non-attainment for the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality standards.  How we use energy this summer could determine whether Austin joins the list of the nation's dirtiest cities for the first time ever.  Non-attainment status would force restrictions and could jeopardize federal funding to the MSA (Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties).

Regional partners have joined together to encourage individuals to become "Ozone Heroes" by taking the "Your aid. Your commitment." pledge at www.ozoneheroes.com and agreeing to three simple actions:

1. take the bus or ride a bicycle;
2. refuel your vehicle after 6 p.m.; and
3. turn off lights in your house.
   

For more information about ozone visit www.cityofaustin.org/airquality.

An estimated 25% of preventable illnesses world-wide can be attributed to poor environmental quality.  In the United States, air pollution alone is estimated to be associated with 50,000 premature deaths and an estimated $40 - $50 billion in health-related costs annually.  Healthy People 2010, a national effort led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to identify key health indicators lists Air Quality as one of the top ten indicators for health nationwide.  Two indicators of air quality are ozone (outdoor) and environmental tobacco smoke (indoor).

 

Community Action Network is a collaboration of organizations and individuals in Central Texas who are working together to build a community of equity and opportunity.

CAN's role in the community is to ...

• Enhance awareness of community issues;
• Strengthen partnerships and connect planning efforts;
• Support collaborative strategies that maximize community resources and impact; and
• Mobilize action by reporting on progress made to improve the community's well-being.

CAN Partners:  Austin Area Human Services Association, Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, Austin Chamber, Austin Community College, Austin Independent School District,
Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center, Capital Metro, City of Austin, Community Justice Council, Integrated Care Collaboration, Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David's Community Health Foundation, St. Edward's University, Travis County, Travis County Healthcare District, United Way Capital Area, University of Texas at Austin, and Workforce Solutions - Capital Area.