More Information

• Texas Funding for Schools Much Lower Than Before Recession
• Joint Budget Hearings Now Under Way at the Capitol
• Statement: National Task Force Calls for Reform of State Tax and Budget Systems

• We Must Preserve Our Women’s Health Program
• Press Release: New Report, Analysis Show State Will Invest $10 Billion Less in Kids Even as Their Needs Rise
• CPPP Appeals to Business Leaders in Letter by Former Lt. Governor Hobby and CPPP's McCown

CPPP Statement on 2006-07 Budget (SB 1 Conference Report)

With the final state budget of $139 billion for 2006 and 2007 nearing approval, some are warning that a 10 percent increase in state spending is too much. Let’s think about this a little differently. Imagine an early spring day somewhere in Texas, with a high of 60°—about average for that time of year. Overnight, a cold front moves in, dropping the temperature to 30°—low enough to kill the most vulnerable plants left out in the cold. The next day, the temperature rises to 50°. Is it a 66 percent increase in temperature, compared to the previous night’s low? Or is it 10° below average?