The state collected 5.6% less in sales tax revenue last month than in August 2019. The expiration of some federal relief aid could mean more decreases in coming months.
budget
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas officials want to cut funding for women’s health services while preserving an anti-abortion program
An August budget document shows funding for the anti-abortion program would be maintained, but reduced for doctors and clinics that provide reduced-cost contraception and health screenings.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: The opening line in every Texas political debate
School openings, government hearings, going to bars, voting, shopping, even the doings at the Texas Capitol hinge on the same issues: whether it’s safe to gather, and how to go about it.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: The Texas Legislature can meet for up to 140 days. The pandemic raises a question: Should it?
The Legislature starts its next regular session in January and can meet for up to 140 days. That gives lawmakers time to consider more than 6,000 bills. During a pandemic, they might want to do a lot less.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: August agenda for local government includes schools, police spending, property taxes and a pandemic
Local governments in Texas finish their spending plans and set their tax rates in August, an annual exercise that includes some hot topics in this pandemic year, like police spending, public schools and property taxes.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: Texas in a state of financial uncertainty
The dire financial forecast from the Texas comptroller says a lot about the pandemic’s harsh impact on the economy. It’s based on uncertain assumptions about what will happen next — and could easily change again.
Posted in
TribCast
TribCast: The post-convention state of the Texas GOP and a bleak budget forecast
On this week’s TribCast, Alexa talks to Matthew, Cassi and Ross about the Texas GOP’s convention chaos and how the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the state budget.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Analysis: Coronavirus spreads to the Texas state budget
Now that the first official estimate of the coronavirus’ effect on the Texas economy is out, the hard work starts. Legislators have to figure out which parts of the state budget to cut and which parts to keep.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Facing budget shortfalls, nearly 100 Texas mayors plead with Congress for coronavirus relief funding
City leaders are asking for more spending flexibility to address the financial shortfalls caused by the pandemic.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas faces a looming $4.6 billion deficit, comptroller projects
The coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices are driving down projected general revenue in the state’s current budget by more than $11 billion.
