WHY IT MATTERS: CERTIFYING THE 2016-2017 TEXAS STATE BUDGET
On June 9, 2015, Comptroller Glenn Hegar certified that the Legislature's new budget is within the Texas Constitution's "pay-as-you-go" spending limit and the Comptroller's revenue estimate.* The budget will direct state spending for fiscal 2016 and 2017. The budget cannot go into effect without the Comptroller's certification.
*The Legislature can make appropriations in excess of anticipated revenue only in the case of an emergency with a four-fifths majority of both houses.
The Big Numbers
Texas state government will have $209.4 BILLION to spend over the next two years.
That's $7,770 for every Texas resident.
The budget includes $106.6 BILLION in General Revenue spending.
Where Does the Money Come From?
State taxes
Federal grants, allocations, payments and reimbursements
Fees, fines, trust fund revenue, bond proceeds and other nontax revenue
Tax Relief
Businesses will receive a $2.6 billion break over the next two years due to lower franchise tax rates.
Homeowners will receive $1.2 billion in property tax relief IF voters approve an increase in the homestead exemption in November.
Budget Highlights
In Billions of Dollars
Budget Item
2016-17 Budget
2014-15 Budget
Public Education
$58.4
$55.4
Higher Education
$19.9
$18.5
Medicaid
$61.2
$59.1
Transportation
$
$
Teacher Retirement System
$4.3
$4.1
Mental Health
$3.6
$3.4
Border Security
$0.8
$0.5
Budget Highlights Source: Legislative Budget Board, Summary of Conference Committee Report for House Bill 1: Appropriations for the 2016-17 Biennium.
