Senators Look for Money Without Saying "Taxes"

by Ross Ramsey
April 19, 2011
14 Comments

State senators have unveiled a list of almost $5 billion in cash-flow tricks, property sales and fees that could be used to ease cuts in the state budget, but it's not enough to completely close the gap between what they have available and what they hope to spend.

The Senate Finance Committee is wrapping up its most pressing work this week, planning to vote on a proposed 2012-13 state budget, a $4.3 billion package to eliminate the deficit in the current budget, and some or all of the revenue measures suggested today as a way to help pay ...

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Comments (14)

April 19, 2011 @ 7:44 p.m.

Mike Johnson

SB-1119

It's been there all along...
April 19, 2011 @ 10:10 p.m.

Julie Benningfield via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Say "Taxes"! Say "Taxes"!
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April 19, 2011 @ 10:16 p.m.

Venus Santos via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Tariff!
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April 19, 2011 @ 11 p.m.

Jody Schoger via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Let's also talk about reps who have a problem with supporting SmokeFree Texas. What's up w/that?
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April 19, 2011 @ 11:07 p.m.

Larry Davis via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Watch out for those "fees" being increased. Drivers license fee, car registration fee, hunting license fee, etc........but never call it a "tax increase".
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April 20, 2011 @ 12:34 a.m.

Ron Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I think Texans deserve the right to vote on whether or not to legalize casinos in Texas. The future revenue would be enormous, and I'm tired of seeing our money flow into surrounding states.
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April 20, 2011 @ 1:12 a.m.

Cynthia Bentley-Wynn via Texas Tribune on Facebook

State Legislatue...here's a thought...Cut Spending...Stop Spending...!!!
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April 20, 2011 @ 5:57 a.m.

Michael Cosper via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Stop spending on what Cynthia? Texas already spends less per capita than any other state and we still have a 27 billion dollar shortfall. tell us how you would do it and include the consequences in five hundred words or less, what a freakin idiot.
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April 20, 2011 @ 6:14 a.m.

Richard Stewart via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Make marajuana legal and tax it to the nines. People use it anyway. I dont Just saying.... The options are there.. People are going to use whether you want them to or not so if you tax it ....
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April 20, 2011 @ 6:15 a.m.

Richard Stewart via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Millions here and Millions there
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April 20, 2011 @ 6:15 a.m.

Richard Stewart via Texas Tribune on Facebook

we add things up and soon we have answers that add up to solutions that fix the overall problem.
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April 20, 2011 @ 7:20 a.m.

Ed Sharp

Looked at SB 1119 per Mike's comment above. ANYONE ELSE LOOKING AT THIS???? Makes sense to me. Not sure whey we haven't seen any movement on it other than the fact that a Dem is carrying it. Looks like money goes back to the state without a tax. Anyone know who's behind it? I'd support
April 20, 2011 @ 12:31 p.m.

Mary Lynn VanZandt Neill via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Um,exactly what did he say versus what did he mean?
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April 21, 2011 @ 12:21 a.m.

Stuart Greenfield

The actual revenue situation is somewhat better than expected, http://www.sgreenfield.net/revsitmar2011.pdf , Given the increase in tax revenues, the draw on the RDF should be reduced, while RDF receipts will be 3x estimated for fy11.