With expectations that state lawmakers will have a budget surplus of several billion dollars, lawmakers, activists and business groups are already discussing what to do with the money.
Rainy Day Fund
Posted in
Economy
Comptroller: Texas Budget Surplus Bigger Than Expected
Texas ended its fiscal year in September with a $2.6 billion surplus and lawmakers could enter the 2015 legislative session with $8 billion in its Rainy Day Fund, Comptroller Susan Combs reported Thursday.
Posted in
Energy
All Nine Constitutional Amendments Approved
Texas voters addressed the state’s fast growth and lingering drought Tuesday by approving a $2 billion water fund and eight other constitutional amendments in a low-turnout election.
Posted in
Politics
Abbott Proposes Constitutional Limits to Spending, Rainy Day Fund
In his first major policy address as a gubernatorial candidate, Attorney General Greg Abbott proposed tighter constitutional limits on state spending and increased constraints on the Rainy Day Fund.
Posted in
Energy
Davis, Abbott Express Support for Proposition 6
Gubernatorial candidates Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott are throwing their support behind Proposition 6, the constitutional amendment that will fund projects designed to help the state meet its growing need for water.
Posted in
Energy
Perry Visits San Angelo to Push Water Plan Funding
UPDATED: San Angelo’s O.C. Fisher Reservoir, which after years of persistent drought is completely dry, served as the backdrop for Gov. Rick Perry’s remarks Wednesday in support of a constitutional amendment to use $2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund toward water-planning initiatives.
Posted in
State Government
Video: Transportation Funding Plan Now Up to Voters
Texas lawmakers have passed legislation that – pending voter approval – would mean an estimated $1.2 billion annual boost for TxDOT. But it’s not yet clear what details the agency will have ready to offer the public before next year’s election.
Posted in
Economy
Agenda Texas: Discussing Budget Priorities
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: State Rep. Van Taylor, R-Plano, who spent much of the session pushing for tighter budget constraints and tax cuts, discusses his budget philosophy this session.
Posted in
State Government
The Polling Center: From Smooth Sailing to Traffic Jam
The regular Texas legislative session was notable for bipartisan coalitions and harmony. The special sessions have been notable for partisan battles and stalemates. To understand what’s going on, just look at the voters.
Posted in
Transportation
Pickett: House, Senate Negotiators Agree on Road Funding Deal
UPDATED: Key negotiators in the House and Senate finalized a deal on Saturday to boost funding for transportation, according to a lawmaker involved in the talks. Now backers of the plan will have to rally enough lawmakers to vote for it.