AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Public Policy issued the following statement on the sustainability of a 2018-19 Conservative Texas Budget given proposed increased expenditures related to public education.
“The 85th Legislature took the first step toward passing a Conservative Texas Budget in the regular session as appropriations, including the $1.8 billion delayed transportation payment, increased from prior appropriations by less than population growth plus inflation,” said Talmadge Heflin, director of the Center for Fiscal Policy at Texas Public Policy Foundation. “To sustain this path toward a Conservative Texas Budget for the 2018-19 Biennium, the Legislature is limited in its supplemental appropriations to $1.92 billion in state funds and $2.79 billion in all funds. With at least $563 million being considered for public education, special needs students, and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the 85th Legislature is moving closer to exceeding the supplemental limits, taking into consideration the supplemental appropriations for Medicaid over the last three biennia.
“Because government spending is paid for with taxes, this excessive spending growth increases the tax burden on Texans, jeopardizing the economic prosperity that’s the hallmark of the Texas model.
“Texas families want education reform that does more than increase spending and make minor tweaks. They want parents in the driver’s seat of their children’s education. By taking swift action to provide substantial education reform through student-centered funding and sufficient limitations on government spending, Texas can continue to be the bastion of freedom that supports human flourishing.”
Supplemental Limits for 2018-19 Conservative Texas Budget
|
Type |
2018-19 |
2018-19 |
2018-19 |
Limits after supplemental education spending |
|
State Funds |
$146.58 B |
$148.50 B |
$1.92 B |
$1.36 B |
|
All Funds |
$218.44 B |
$221.23 B |
$2.79 B |
$2.23 B |
*Includes delayed $1.8 billion Proposition 7 transportation payment
To schedule an interview with Mr. Heflin, please contact Alicia Pierce at [email protected] or 512-472-2700.
The Honorable Talmadge Heflin is director of the Center for Fiscal Policy at Texas Public Policy Foundation, a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin. 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. The Texas Public Policy Foundation aims to advance a societal framework that effectively fosters human flourishing based upon cooperation and mutually beneficial exchange of ideas and speech.