Texas Lawmakers Must Manage Budget Shortfall, COVID Rules

Governing: The pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus is setting the stage for one of the most unusual and high-stakes sessions of the Texas Legislature — ever.

The COVID-19 outbreak crippled the state’s high-flying economy, making for severe budget woes ahead.

A fight over what programs are cut when lawmakers convene in January will play out amid a bipartisan desire to maintain over the next two years the increased funding of public schools approved last year. Then, lawmakers enjoyed a big enough surplus and a sufficiently robust economy that they could boost schools' budget and pay to lower property taxes, at least temporarily, without raising state taxes.

Read article

Share

i360Gov Newsletters

The most significant government policy, business, and technology news and analysis delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe Now