Texans Demand a Conservative Budget

"But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’  Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself."
Deuteronomy 17:16

Texas Public Policy Foundation -- This morning, the Texas Conservative Budget Coalition held a press conference to discuss TPPF's new paper The Conservative Texas Budget:

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Highlights:

• Talmadge Helflin - STAR FUND is the primary tax cut.
• Real Texas Budget was the Starting Point.
• We're two weeks away from state agencies beginning to request 2016/17 budgets.
• Expect a $1.5 billion supplemental in 2015.
• Author's note: Sigh....
• Texas' current spending limit is restricted to non-dedicated General revenue.
• The legislature will have to do this "voluntarily."
• Author's Note: Paging Dan Patrick!!!
• The economy of a state fares better "if it's a low tax, low spend state."
• "In times of plenty, we recommend the legislature keep spending at a level that's sustainable in the long-term."

• Vance Ginn - 2004-15 state spending up 62.4%
• 8% faster than inflation + spending.
• Limit state spending to 6.2% population + inflation.

• JoAnn Fleming - "The state of Texas spends much more than the legislature appropriates."
• Federal funds come from our pocket, "some magic fairy land."

• Michael Quinn Sullivan - "Texas has benefited...from the bad decisions of other states."
• "The least drunk person at the bar shouldn't be held up as a model of sobriety."

• Cathie Adams - "Texas Families have hopes and dreams, and we want to be able to afford them."
• Prioritize spending to prevent budget from growing more than 6.2%

• Jenna White - Conservative budget draws a line in the sand at 6.2%

• Chuck DeVore - "Spending restraint leads to tangible gains."
• "We can do better."
• "We can do better by allowing free enterprise to flourish."
• Eliminate the margins tax -- more than enough money.
• Prioritize infrastructure over welfare or other wasteful spending.
• Restructure spending to get more bang for the buck (Talmadge Heflin)
• Within the past couple months, TxDOT has come up with $350 million for rail (MQS) 

The full paper:

The Conservative Texas Budget

Highlights:

• "Texas has had a large increase in its labor force during those years from out-of-state migration compared to a declining labor force in many areas....Clearly, as fast as people are moving to Texas, job creation is keeping pace."

• "Texas current limitations on government spending are not sufficient."

• "These limits represent maximum amounts for the Legislature to use when determining the cumulative amount appropriated for each government agency.  The Foundation believes that the Legislature could easily spend less than this and still ensure provision of basic public necessities.  Nonetheless, if the Legislature stays within these bounds in The Conservative Texas Budget, it will have taken a substantial step towards reining in the growth of Texas government.