The latest budget news from The Texas Tribune.
During the first month of the Texas legislative session, the House and Senate will have met for less than a week, and most lawmakers will have been away from the Capitol for most of that time. It’s an early sign that this pandemic-shadowed session might be limited in scope. Full Story
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The proposals are about $7 billion over the amount Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said lawmakers have to spend during the 2021 legislative session. Full Story
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One argument for legalizing casino gambling and marijuana sales in Texas is that they would produce tax revenue for the state during the recession started by the pandemic. But a new, optimistic economic forecast for the state takes some wind out of those sails. Full Story
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Much about the session — including how it will be conducted during a pandemic — remains uncertain. Full Story
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Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar estimated that lawmakers have $113 billion to spend when they write the next two-year budget. Full Story
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Lawmakers could face a multibillion-dollar budget deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic and its accompanying recession. That will only compound the difficulties of balancing the budget. Full Story
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We've selected some columns from 2020 on the recession and the budget. Full Story
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Casinos are making a serious run at Texas lawmakers, hoping to open up to five gaming destinations in a state that has resisted them for years. But gaming in Texas hasn’t been expanded in almost three decades. Full Story
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It might seem that closing tax loopholes and ending exemptions would be an easy way to balance a state budget during a pandemic. It's not. In fact, that might be the hardest option available. Full Story
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Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar didn't provide details as he told lawmakers Monday that the financial forecast isn't as dire as earlier feared. But he said revenues are still down "significantly" compared with last year. Full Story
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Plus, what the Legislature will look like in a pandemic, and what Tribune reporters are watching most this legislative session. Full Story
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"The COVID-19 pandemic and low price of crude oil continue to weigh on the Texas economy and sales tax revenue," Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. Full Story
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The state collected 5.6% less in sales tax revenue last month than in August 2019. The expiration of some federal relief aid could mean more decreases in coming months. Full Story
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An August budget document shows funding for the anti-abortion program would be maintained, but reduced for doctors and clinics that provide reduced-cost contraception and health screenings. Full Story
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School openings, government hearings, going to bars, voting, shopping, even the doings at the Texas Capitol hinge on the same issues: whether it’s safe to gather, and how to go about it. Full Story
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The Legislature starts its next regular session in January and can meet for up to 140 days. That gives lawmakers time to consider more than 6,000 bills. During a pandemic, they might want to do a lot less. Full Story
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Local governments in Texas finish their spending plans and set their tax rates in August, an annual exercise that includes some hot topics in this pandemic year, like police spending, public schools and property taxes. Full Story
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The dire financial forecast from the Texas comptroller says a lot about the pandemic's harsh impact on the economy. It's based on uncertain assumptions about what will happen next — and could easily change again. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Alexa talks to Matthew, Cassi and Ross about the Texas GOP's convention chaos and how the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the state budget. Full Story
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Now that the first official estimate of the coronavirus' effect on the Texas economy is out, the hard work starts. Legislators have to figure out which parts of the state budget to cut and which parts to keep. Full Story
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