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 10% Budget Cut Instructions

Some may be shocked that in less than a month’s time, Texas has gone from having an $8 billion “surplus” to considering 10 percent almost-across-the-board cuts—about $3 billion in General Revenue. The reason is the huge gap between the spending side of what the Legislature approved in the special session ($23 billion more in state funds for K-12 from 2007 to 2009, most of it to pay for local property tax cuts) and what it raised in new revenue ($8.8 billion from 2007 to 2009). Filling the $14 billion hole dug in the special session entirely wipes out the so-called surplus and still requires finding another $6 billion.