The filed House supplemental appropriations bill, HB2, would appropriate $1.4 billion from Texas’ Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF), also known as the Rainy Day Fund. However, a committee substitute for HB2 (CSHB2) was recently outlined in the House Appropriations Committee that would increase the appropriation from the ESF to $2.4 billion, which together with $957 million from general revenue (GR) and $1.8 billion from federal funds, would bring the total cost of the supplemental bill to $5.2 billion. An examination of the numbers shows that this is far too costly for taxpayers and that there is no need to use any money from the ESF.
Rep. Hefner: Property taxes, security, and local reforms top priorities for next session
In a recent interview on The Arena with Greg Sindelar, State Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, offered a candid look at his East Texas roots, legislative record, and priorities as Texas heads toward its 90th legislative session. Hefner, who represents a deeply conservative district in Northeast Texas, traced his path to public office back to...