News, Rick Perry

State Budget Battle to Resume

January 30, 2012 5:00 am by: Ben Philpott

In less than a year, the Texas Legislature will head back to work. Another protracted budget battle will be waiting for them, in spite of the fact that the state’s economy has picked up in recent months. The good news: The state ended 2011 with about $1.6 billion more in revenue than was predicted. According to comptroller spokesman R.J. DeSilva, many of the state’s economic indicators are pointing in the right direction. “Sales tax is a major source of our revenue and it’s been doing well – increasing for 20 plus months now because of a combination of strong business spending and industries like oil and gas producing sectors, and consumer spending,” DeSilva said. “It’s too early to say for sure, but right now it looks that 2013 will be a somewhat easier session then 2011,” said Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. In a couple of months, Dewhurst will sit down with legislative staff and senate budget leaders to begin working on the next budget. “I am...
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