The Real Texas Budget provides an overview of government spending from 2004-05 to 2018-19. It demonstrates the need for reforms to restrain the growth of government spending and increase budget transparency.
Key points:
- Over the last 16 years, Texas state spending has increased faster than the pace of population growth plus inflation, at the excessive cost of $33.1 billion to taxpayers, or almost $2,300 for a family of four annually, on average
- The Real Texas Budget demonstrates the need for government spending restraint and an improved budget process.
- Legislators should pass a Conservative Texas Budget in 2021, holding any growth in initial appropriations of all funds to less than population growth plus inflation of 5% to $246.8 billion, excluding explicitly related COVID-19 funds.