AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Fiscal Policy Director Talmadge Heflin issued the following statement on Senate Bill 2, which includes the 2016-17 budget recommendations of a total budget increase of 1.5 percent to $205.1 billion. These recommendations include providing $3 billion in property tax relief and $1 billion in reforming the business franchise tax, commonly known as the margin tax.
 
“We are pleased that the Texas Senate’s budget recommendations hold the total budget to a very modest growth rate,” said Heflin. “By effectively limiting spending, the Texas Comptroller’s recent revenue estimates provide an opportunity for legislators to substantially cut taxes. The tax relief in this initial budget bill is a good start.
 
“We look forward to continued discussions about how to cut spending on ineffective programs while fully funding essential public services and which tax cuts would provide the biggest bang for the buck now and in the future.”

 
The Honorable Talmadge Heflin, Director of the Center for Fiscal Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. In the 78th Session, Heflin served as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and navigated a $10 billion state budget shortfall through targeted spending cuts that allowed Texans to avoid a tax increase. 

The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin, Texas.

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