This level of spending supported all of the major operations of government: administration, health, education, judicial services, legislative activities, and capital projects. Let’s take a look at spending in Texas during the past 20 years.Īccording to a Policy Brief released by the Texas Public Policy Foundation titled, Update: Trends in Texas Government State Government Spending, in 1990, the entire budget for the state of Texas was $23 billion. State and local governments have a habit of splurge spending during times of economic plenty and finding many creative ways to continue its spending appetite such as the use of public debt during times of economic troubles. While Texas is a balanced budget state, it has a long history of not living within its means. Just like the hard working families all over Texas, state government must learn to live within its means. I firmly believe that the proper way to govern is to combine three things into the decision-making process: (1) Identify the true needs of the state (often the state’s Constitution identifies these needs) (2) Prioritize spending based on a “cost-benefit analysis and (3) Legislators and voters must apply some good old common sense in making decisions that impact the State of Texas. Dan Patrick and Speaker Joe Strauss should seriously consider adopting the many principles found in the book, "Texas Tomorrow: An Economic Plan for Texas in the 21st Century." The reason is simple: a projected cost savings of $20 billion or more every budget cycle!Īs a practicing Certified Public Accountant and former candidate for the office of Texas Comptroller, I believe that it is time to reform how Texas does the Texas budget. Instead of complaining both the Democrats and Republicans along with Gov. Liberals are already crying "foul" and the Republicans are saying "Oh well we must live within our means!" Neither of these responses will resolve both our short term and long term financial needs for the State of Texas. With the start of the 85th With the start of the 85th Texas Legislature, the State Comptroller announced on Monday that lawmakers will have $104.87 billion in state funds to prepare the new two years state budget, which is about $8 billion less to spend than the 2015 Texas budget. TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS BEGUN! NOW WHAT?
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