The latest glenn hegar news from The Texas Tribune.
If Texas’ budget surplus were distributed directly to Texans, it could pay for 12 years of school lunches, seven months of rent or 11,000 miles of travel. Here’s how to put the big number into perspective. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f3922a316909b9d00ad3eba871cbae39/budget-surplus-lede-art.png)
The preliminary budgets by House and Senate call for $130.1 billion in state spending over two years, even though tens of billions more are available to them. The bills do not bust state or constitutional spending limits. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3e13dac9fac30ff458430a67159c5335/Austin%20Closures%20MG%20TT%2011.jpg)
It’s far more money than legislators have ever had at their disposal, with an increase in available funds that dwarfs any previous jumps between cycles. It’s also more money than lawmakers can constitutionally spend. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b920ea42464fa585a65ab61dd3aacdcc/0922%20Glenn%20Hegar%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
The program, known as Chapter 313, provides companies with billions of dollars in property tax breaks. The court said it is up to the Legislature to make the call on what to do as the program is set to expire and the state is swamped with applications. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/57d1aca7e3789dcf4af6fd535933d849/0922%20Glenn%20Hegar%20EG%20TT%2011.jpg)
In a conversation with The Texas Tribune, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar discussed the state’s biennial revenue estimate, how the state is enjoying a surplus amid economic fears nationally and where the state should consider allocating its extra money. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0f154eff44f2d9cea45b0ee9aa4f4ad8/01-09_GHegar_leadart-v1.png)
Hundreds of businesses have sought tax savings from the state before the Chapter 313 program expires. Two companies say they are missing out despite being eligible. Full Story
Local officials, echoing Glenn Hegar, say the current maps are flawed and the process to lodge complaints is cumbersome. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/197d072110a1a077ec5cb41f2e47a0bf/Broadband%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Texas homeowners have some of the highest property tax bills in the nation, a byproduct of the state’s reliance on such taxes to help pay for public schools and the state’s lack of an income tax. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6b27a728f3a0fbc20fb1697a34a76524/Capitol%20File%20Jan%202022%20JV%20TT%2023)
During the campaign, Hegar touted his work on lowering taxes and expanding broadband in Texas, reforming the tax code, reducing regulations on agriculture and pushing for government transparency. Full Story
Hegar, who is running for his third term as Texas comptroller of public accounts, has made increasingly provocative moves in recent weeks, challenging financial companies he says are anti-oil and gas and threatening budget sanctions against Harris County over police funding. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/05/29/HegarGlenn044CMS.jpg)
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar singled out financial firms under a 2021 state law that prohibits most state entities from contracting with companies that have reduced or cut investments in the oil and gas industry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ba922d5c4978ef696fba811568fdd65/Glenn%20Hegar%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
Comptroller Glenn Hegar said the state could block the approval of Harris County’s budget because it’s not allowing constables to roll $3 million in unspent funds into next year’s budget — even though the constables’ total funding will go up next year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/df9f4b0216dd71227239db4317020589/Glenn_Hegar_Biennial_Revenue_Estimate_2.jpg)
Advocates have previously called for repealing the sales tax on products like tampons, sanitary pads and pantyliners. Menstrual products are already tax-free in 24 states. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c347f84cb3ad5e78c856c4373affef40/Tampon%20Tax%20-%20Zoe%20AM%20TT%2012.jpg)
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell and Patrick about the power grid, the race for governor and the extra money the Texas Legislature will have on hand to spend next year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0d76389b2851c265a9b7bfabb6700906/TribCast%20July%2015%201.jpg)
The state will have an extra $27 billion in its coffers in 2023 — money that could help pay for property tax cuts and other legislative priorities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a366b3c65ffaf999c92401ba8562b290/Capitol%20File%20Jan%202022%20JV%20TT%2026)
Hegar also talked about how to keep Texas business-friendly and what another wave of COVID-19 could mean for the state budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dce6707602c54b4458619319e25aaa42/TTF%2021%20Glenn%20Hegar%20TT.jpg)
The latest revenue estimate doesn’t take into account all of the federal relief that has been sent to Texas over the past year by Congress through pandemic relief packages. State lawmakers have wrestled with how and who has the authority to spend that money. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e59c24b5812ea2c1cbef2e156d187e93/House%20Floor%20Police%20Reform%20JV%20TT%2017.jpg)
An unusual appearance by the lieutenant governor at a Senate hearing looked like a tough session for one of Gov. Greg Abbott's appointees — and raised speculation about political tension between the state's top two elected officials. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6a89a16362beff6d2b1298fdf50216e3/Dan%20Patrick%20MG%20TT%2016.jpg)
One argument for legalizing casino gambling and marijuana sales in Texas is that they would produce tax revenue for the state during the recession started by the pandemic. But a new, optimistic economic forecast for the state takes some wind out of those sails. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6a0428985d89399f3d893576415b75a5/Atlantic%20City%20Casino%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar estimated that lawmakers have $113 billion to spend when they write the next two-year budget. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2c80fe77f6e2a3c06be6bd8c4a7baeeb/06%20Glenn%20Hegar%20Biennial%20Revenue%20Estimate%20MG%20TT.jpg)