Ms. Piggy says we're not broke after all!

[NoPasaran]

$400 million surplus forecast for Texas

AUSTIN - Texas lawmakers will have more money to work with in this year's legislative session, according to Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn's state revenue estimate released today.

In her highly anticipated report the day before the 140-day session begins, Strayhorn reported Texas will have $64.7 billion in state money for the 2006-2007 biennium. That would give the state a $400 million surplus after paying for existing programs.

"Our state's great economic engine is improving," Strayhorn said. "I expect to see a continuation of the growth trend in 2005."

Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who presides over the Senate, said those numbers are similar to estimates from his office. He previously had said he expected a shortage of $1 billion to $2 billion, but said Monday that estimate included some new spending.

-more-

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2985810

[rkc3]

1. Like all state gov'ts they''ll find a way to spend the $400MM,

add to their budget for 2006 and beyond and wonder why they're in a deficit when revenues fall in the future. Nothing like fiscal responsibility.

[Richardo]

2. It's a festivus *miracle*!

Can they reinstate those poor children's health insurance now?



*snicker* Snick-BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA I crack me up! Republicans restoring a poverty assistance program. I kill me.

[tk2kewl]

3. Doesn't this call for $1.2 Billion tax cut?

:shrug:

[TrueAmerican]

4. I moved to Texas (military move)

And the Property taxes, sales taxes, and vehicle registration is about the highest I have ever seen.

[sam sarrha]

5. if you are at Fort Bliss, the South West Charter Busses were nearly all

all unsafe, bad brakes.. steering, bad lights.. and lots of drivers from Juarez willing to drive them in that condition... be careful

[crispini]

6. That's because we have NOOOOOO income tax!

We're all into the regressive taxation, doncha know. :evilgrin: