THE LAST REFUGE from scoundrels:

Texas ... grew by almost half a million and accounted for 18 percent of the nation's total population growth. [It] had above-average immigrant growth, but domestic in-migration was nearly twice as high.

There may be lessons for public policy here. Texas over the decades has had low taxes (and no state income tax), low public spending and regulations that encourage job growth. It didn't have much of a housing bubble or a housing price bust.

Under Govs. George W. Bush and Rick Perry, it has placed tight limits on tort lawsuits, and has seen an influx of both corporate headquarters and medical doctors.

As a soon-to-be Texan again, I’m not sure I’m pleased with this development.