and we private landowners (I have a measley 2.25A) pick up a few bucks monthly that helps offset the increased electric rates
Not only the much increased volume of crude production, but the truly stupendous increase in the amount of natural gas available, has helped to sustain whatever economic recovery the country as a whole have seen in the past three or four years.
Not because of the Current Regime now squatting in the White Hut, but in spite of them. This revived economic activity has added a large margin of revenue to the national and state treasuries, though not enough yet to significantly slow or reverse the continued growth in public debt.
There is still more outgo than income, but the gap is narrowing.