Corpus Christi Unsettled By Plunging Oil Prices

GREGORY, TX - MARCH 28: Following the rejection of demands for major cuts in pension and health care benefits, steel workers protest their lockout from Sherwin Alumina on March 28, 2015 in Gregory, Texas. Texas, which in just the last five years has tripled its oil production and delivered hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy, is looking at what could be a sustained downturn in prices. Crude oil prices today are almost 60 percent lower than they were six months ago. While the economy in Texas has become more diversified over the years, oil is still the states largest monetary generator and any sustained downturn would be devastating for employment and the economy. Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas this month said a drop in oil prices have been responsible for 39,621 job cuts in the first two months of the year. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)