Lawmakers Hope to Tap Rainy Day Fund, Duck Spending Cap
Two top goals of many Texas lawmakers this legislative session — passing a budget they can call fiscally responsible and tapping billions of dollars sitting in the state’s Rainy Day Fund — may be tougher than they previously thought.
Blame the state’s spending limit, a convoluted rule written in the state constitution that usually has little impact on the budget. This year, lawmakers risk bumping up against that limit, a situation that has prompted hopes that outlays from the Rainy Day Fund will not be subject to the limit.
“The concern will be the treatment of one-time money that comes ...
Comments (3)
Betty DuBose Hamilton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Which is more valuable -- saving money or improving education? It should be a no brainer.
Carlyn Short via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What exactly is the "Rainy Day" fund for? I think we've had plenty of rainy days for the educational system of this great state.
Christine Lund
Looks like Texas is trying to use the same economics that former President Bush used, that almost brought down this country in '08. This state has so many unfunded needs that are being ignored. The food stamp program is not being administered properly. They have jerryrigged the system so that the benefits are next to impossible to access and the amounts awarded wouldn't feed a cat. Anyone making less than a thousand dollars a month receives $16 a month. What can you eat and drink for thirty days on $16 a month? Retirees and disabled are starving in this state. So, are they wanting to tap the Rainy Day Fund to pay for huge increases in the food stamp program and a ton more for education and healthcare funding? Not likely. Until Governor Perry, our country club leader, steps down, I don't think there's any chance for stopping the siphoning off of state money to 'for profits' to do the work needed in this state. We have to get rid of career politicians and put in people who can't be bought. These people are supposed to be our lobbyists but they are being bought off by the opposition before they begin their term.