It might seem that closing tax loopholes and ending exemptions would be an easy way to balance a state budget during a pandemic. It’s not. In fact, that might be the hardest option available.
Glenn Hegar
Despite staggering pandemic losses, Texas budget forecast better than expected, state comptroller says
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar didn’t provide details as he told lawmakers Monday that the financial forecast isn’t as dire as earlier feared. But he said revenues are still down “significantly” compared with last year.
September sales tax revenue in Texas down 6.1% from a year ago
“The COVID-19 pandemic and low price of crude oil continue to weigh on the Texas economy and sales tax revenue,” Comptroller Glenn Hegar said.
Texans spent less going out to eat and drink, but more on home improvement as coronavirus cases peaked this summer
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.
Texas sales tax collections went up in July โ and were higher than one year ago
Texas collected $2.98 billion in sales tax revenue in July โ 4.3% more than in July 2019. Comptroller Glenn Hegar said the number was “better than expected.”
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 โ and could easily change again.
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.
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.
Texas sales tax revenue declined 6.5% versus last June as state reopened for business
While collections from restaurants were depressed, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said that take-out and delivery sales, along with online purchases, helped buoy revenue in the restaurant and retail sectors.
Texas sales tax revenue dips 13.2% in May, the largest year-over-year decline in a decade
“Significant declines in sales tax receipts were evident in all major economic sectors, with the exception of telecommunications services,” Comptroller Glenn Hegar said in a statement.


