The 2016-17 state budget of $209.1 billion funds education, health care, and all other areas of the budget. This budget is up 68.5% since the 2004-05 budget. However, the key measure of estimated compounded population growth plus inflation is up only 51% in that period. Had the budget followed this key measure since the 2004- 05 budget, Texans would be paying $22 billion less in taxes and achieving greater prosperity.
Fortunately, the 2015 Legislature passed a budget that increased by 2.9% above the previous biennium’s spending level, which was less than this key measure, but there is much more work to do. One way to continue correcting past excesses is to cut ineffective budget items.