Texas Senate, Facing Tight Budget, Hunts for Revenue
The Texas Senate isn’t allowed to raise money. It’s right there in the state’s Constitution, which says all revenue bills must originate in the House.
But there goes the Senate, sending Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, and a subcommittee of budgeteers on a hunt for “non-tax revenues” that could be used to put enough meat on the skimpy proposed budget to get senators to vote for it.
To get the votes he needs to pass the budget through the Senate, Steve Ogden, the Bryan Republican who chairs the Finance Committee, needs to spend money the House won’t ...
Comments (8)
Karen Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yep, Texas has a revenue problem. Our lawmakers in the Texas legislature know what needs to be done to fix the problem--the annual structural deficit problem caused by Perry/GOP in 2006. Why aren't they fixing the problem?
Joe Estep via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If they raise rates, fees or taxes can I have the concession for either the tar or the feathers booth on Congress Avenue? I could use the extra money for gas.
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Because Karen, the November election was a pretty clear mandate in the direction the electorate wants them to go. And it isn't in the direction of increased taxes.
Healthy Texan
Taxes are high enough. And, the GOP is fixing the problem. And by the way, its not just a problem here in Texas but its a problem all across the country in states also led by Democrats. This is not a Republican or a Democrat problem. It belongs to us all. Cut spending now and immediately limit the rate of growth.
That will help control many of the problems.
Connor Kilpatrick via Texas Tribune on Facebook
So is it a "mandate" when there's a Democratic sweep? Is it a mandate when 60% of the people demand a Medicare-like public option for health insurance? Is it a mandate when a firm majority of American citizens wants taxes to go up on the rich in order to preserve social spending/medicare/social security? Please tell me, Mike Openshaw. Please.
Aldo Merino via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A general rule of thumb: When someone suggests a particular group has a mandate...they don't.
Taxes wasn't even a blip on the political radar in the last election.
Glen Hill
Non tax revenue is readily available. If Texas lawmakers would support the majority of Texas Voters a great dent in REVENUE could be accomplished. The minority has our "representatives" so scared they can't put casinos on the ballot. Instead they pull political shenagigans to keep the minority happy even at the cost of TEACHER POSITIONS, POLICE JOBS, HEALTHCARE JOBS AND TREATMENT, ADVOCATING RELEASE OF MENTALLY ILL TO SAVE MONEY, DROPPING REAL EDUCATION SUPPORT, and who knows what else...Our lawmakers cannot make ends meet without additional revenue. Billions of Dollars in potential TEXAS STATE REVENUE flies out to Vegas and drives out to Louisians, Oklahoma, Mississippi monthly. It is high time those most affected by our ineffective lawmakers get on board and demand all casino actions be on the ballot this fall. While it won't help much this year...it bloody will by the time our lawmakers meet again.
Glen Hill
See for yourself...texasneedscasinos.com
Do your own math. Spread the word and let your "representatives" know...