While Texas has a stereotype of being a rural state, it is actually one of the most urbanized states in the Union with three of the nation's top ten biggest cites, of those, Houston is the largest. In addition to Houston there is Dallas, San Antonio and Ft. Worth which each have thriving economies.
So, the economic success of Texas is a product of the success of these cities to attract businesses and and educated workforce.
Now, Texas does have an advantage of not having an income tax, but the state and local governments extract their money from an 8.0% sales tax and very high Property Taxes.
So, once a year, instead of writing that State Income Tax check, Texans are instead writing a giant check to their County for Property Tax.
I live in Austin and know lots of people that pay $7,500 to $12,000 in Property Taxes each year.
Thus, things here are local, the locals get your property tax money and it is the cities in Texas that foster the business environment.
Yikes! You live in the belly of the beast.
I love Texas. Besides my nephew in Houston, my sister-in-law and the rest of the family split living between their houses in Dallas and (near) Waco. My brother-in-law was born and raised in Silverton (pan handle). We have taken a few road trips and stay with them for several weeks when we do. San Antonio was one of the coolest cities I ever saw. I would definitely consider moving to Texas.