Comptroller: Texas lawmakers will have less to spend in next budget

Statesman: State lawmakers returning to the Capitol on Tuesday will face a bleak budget outlook thanks to low oil and gas prices and past budget decisions that could tie their hands if they attempt to bolster the distressed foster care system or increase funding for public education.

Comptroller Glenn Hegar unveiled Monday a $104.9 billion biennial revenue estimate, which determines how much money lawmakers can spend in the 2018-19 budget. That’s 2.6 percent below the current two-year budget’s revenue estimate of $107.7 billion.

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