It's a joke, on Newsweak.
Showing debt is only 1.2% of GDP as of 2008, with TAX supported debt at 12.6B This hole was closed during the following legislative session, due to a collapse in the housing market, Katrina overruns, and other unforeseen expenses.
FWST article showing how the Texas State Government has a tiny share of the total debt while the majority is the LOCAL Government. Of the $30 Billion you classify as "DEBT" from 2009, only $3B is NOT self-satisfying.