The Conservative Budget Texans DEMAND

"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 17:16-17

Texas State Capitol -- This morning, Texas' conservative budget coalition held a press conference to discuss the initial House and Senate budget proposals and their expectations for the upcoming legislative session:



Highlights:

Talmadge Heflin (TPPF):

• Get expectations out early.

• Added population + inflation.

• Eliminate Margins Tax.

• StAR Fund.

• Subject local property tax hikes to voter approval.

• Stronger Constitutional Spending Limit.

Vance Ginn (TPPF):

• Low taxes, less regulation best path to prosperity.

• $217.1 billion in all funds spending; $142.2 billion in state funds.

• Option C: StAR fund.

Mike Hasson (AFP):

• "Regardless of party, we look forward to accomplishing great things."

• "Too many Texas homeowners can't enjoy the increases in their home values" because of property taxes."

• Local governments are reaping windfalls.

• Easier rollback elections.

• Automatic election if property tax growth exceeds a certain point.
• Effective Tax Rate?!?

Michael Quinn Sullivan (Empower Texans):

• Texas needs "structural reforms" to state spending.

• Tighter constitutional spending limit.

• "Make sure government spends no more than the citizens can afford to pay."

• Move from 'strategies' to program based budgeting.
• Author's note: We've been covering the #TXLEGE for several years and we still have no idea what "strategies-based" budgeting means.

Josiah Neely (R Street):

• Eliminate Margins Tax entirely.

• Hidden tax on consumers.

• Taxes between industries vary greatly.

Q&A:

• House and Senate budgets "are both good starting points."

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AFP has more here.

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Budget Coalition One Pager Updated