Business shutdowns and limits on their operations through the coronavirus pandemic have battered Texas companies, which are now grappling with another devastating surge in infections as intensive care units at dozens of hospitals across the state are full. Entire industries — bars and restaurants, tourism and travel, oil and gas — continue to struggle. The unemployment rate in Texas decreased to 7.2% in December, more than double the rate of 3.5% a year earlier. Hungry and homeless Texans have been confused about the prospect of more federal coronavirus relief while the state’s outdated and understaffed unemployment insurance office has left countless ...