HB 1: A Reasonably Not Crappy Budget

"There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it."
Proverbs 21:20

For all the Texas Legislature's failures this session, credit must be given where it's due: They've done a reasonably decent job putting together the state's two-year budget.

In 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature increased spending by 26%.  That was one of the major actions that radicalized this website against Texas House leadership.  It was ugly.

In 2015, by contrast, spending will go up by less than 4%; that's less than Population Growth + Inflation.

Last summer, the Conservative Budget Coalition called for a state budget that wouldn't exceed Population + Inflation.  That would mean a top line number of $215 Billion and a growth rate of 6.5%.  The final numbers are $209 Billion and 4% respectively.

Some other highlights:

• A number of transportation diversions have been ended or substantially curtailed.

• Several pro-Life riders.

• A substantial commitment to border security.

Again, this budget is far from ideal.  If we were writing it, we'd do things differently.  Considering the realities in the legislature this session, however, it could have been FAR worse.