Why the State Budget is Such a Mess

[TexasTowelie]

Texas lawmakers helped cause a $6 billion budget shortfall. Why aren’t we talking about it?

Writing the budget is by far the most important thing the Texas Legislature does. Indeed, under the Texas Constitution, it’s the only thing lawmakers must do. It’s also the most difficult part of the process for the average person to follow. Budget debates are convoluted and filled with arcane language, and the most important decisions are rarely discussed in public. That complexity makes it easy for politicians to shape their narratives about how state government is doing — and sometimes, to escape blame for whatever’s gone wrong.

As lawmakers begin drafting a budget that will likely include many unnecessary cuts, it’s important to be clear about what’s happening, and why. To that end:

How bad is the state’s budget situation?

Pretty bad. For the next two years, Texas is projected to be significantly short of the money needed just to maintain the current meager level of services.

According to Comptroller Glenn Hegar, lawmakers have a relatively paltry $105 billion to spend. But the Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) estimates that paying for the current level of services would cost $109 billion. Factor in the increasing cost of providing state services, and the figure rises to more than $111 billion.

Read more: https://www.texasobserver.org/why-the-state-budget-is-such-a-mess/

[Javaman]

1. when a states budget is pinned to the concept of high oil prices, this is what happens. nt