On April 3, 2011 the Texas House of Representatives passed their budget for the 2012-2013 biennium. House Bill 1 is a $164.5 billion, two-year budget that reduces spending by 3.7 percent from general revenue and 9.7 percent overall, which is approximately $23 billion less than the current budget that ends August 31, 2011. As can be seen in HB 1, the House’s priorities are education, 46 percent, and health and human services, 32.8 percent. This budget was passed without tax increases and focused primarily on cutting administrative costs and reducing overlapping agency functions.
The budget still needs to be considered and passed by the Senate, followed by a conference committee where each chamber of the legislature is represented by five members to discuss and finalize the state budget. Once the Senate and House approve the final bill it will go to Governor Perry for signature or veto.
HB 1 is a significant step toward cutting wasteful government spending without increasing taxes. Texas does not need additional taxation to supplement its budget shortfalls. The House’s proposition reflects this important principle by focusing on cutting costs, not finding new taxes and fees to disguise a serious spending problem.
More can be read about HB 1 at the Texas Insider website:
House Passes HB 1, Budget for 2012-2013 Biennium
Rep. Price: “Without Raising Taxes, House Passes Balanced State Budget for 2012 -2013″