AUSTIN – The 84th Texas Legislature passed a budget increase of less than population growth plus inflation. To examine whether this constitutes a conservative budget and if it can meet the needs of Texans, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Fiscal Policy will host the panel “Spending vs. Taxation: Does the Conservative Texas Budget Meet the Needs of Texans?” at the 14th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 1:30 pm CST at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Salon J.
“Holding the growth of the state’s budget within taxpayers’ ability to pay, with a key metric being population growth plus inflation, is essential,” said Talmadge Heflin, director of the Center for Fiscal Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “Doing so reduces the uncertainty of how to fund government programs and agencies with the volatility of tax revenues. It helps keep Texans in the driver’s seat of the budget process, which makes legislators good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”
Panelists include:
- Representative Greg Bonnen, Texas House of Representatives
- Representative Donna Howard, Texas House of Representatives
- Bob Williams, President, State Budget Solutions
- The Honorable Talmadge Heflin, Director, Center for Fiscal Policy, Texas Public Policy Foundation (Moderator)
For over thirteen years, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Policy Orientation has been one of the nation’s top policy conferences, selling out each year while bringing together lawmakers, policy experts, and engaged citizens from across the political spectrum to discuss critical issues facing the Lone Star State and America. This year’s program includes more than 35 panel discussions and debates on the major issues affecting Texas’ future.
Members of the public and media who wish to attend may register and view the agenda at: www.PolicyOrientation.com
Keynote and plenary sessions will be livestreamed at: txpo.li/TPPFlive
The Honorable Talmadge Heflin is the director of the Foundation’s Center for Fiscal Policy. Prior to joining the Foundation, Heflin served the people of Harris County as a state representative for 11 terms. Well regarded as a legislative leader on budget and tax issues by Democratic and Republican speakers alike, he for several terms was the only House member to serve on both the Ways and Means and Appropriations committees.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin, Texas.