When it comes to budget cuts, oil, and the possibility of more federal relief money, the state's crystal ball remains clouded.
Commerce in Texas remains downtrodden due to the pandemic but continues its modest improvement compared with previous months.
The latest campaign finance reports show that Texas' top statewide officials raised high amounts in the latter half of 2020.
The Texas legislature convenes today for its 87th regular session with only 140 days to complete its business.
The dire fiscal straits projected last July have improved substantially, but the Texas comptroller still projects a nearly $1 billion shortfall at the end of this biennium.
Tax collections on motor vehicles were up from December 2019, which may be explained by consumers taking advantage of low interest rates and purchasing a new vehicle for Christmas.
November's sales tax collections show stronger consumer spending levels, but still indicate a long road ahead when the legislature convenes in January.
Due to depressed oil and gas production tax collections, this year's state savings account transfer was 30 percent less than last year.
Texas' oil and gas industry continues to limp through the pandemic, further illustrated by the depreciated production taxes remitted to the state.
Due to Texas' rich private sector, the state is less dependent on federal monies compared with its neighbor New Mexico, which relies heavily on its public sector economy.
Texas' economy is still reeling from business closures issued because of the pandemic and continues to struggle even after the turn of the new fiscal year.
Republicans say replacing Ginsburg before election day shouldn't draw comparisons to the blocking of Merrick Garland, Obama's 2016 nominee.
Due to the government's disruption of the economy in light of the pandemic, Texas' fiscal health is worsening after a self-inflicted hit to its purse.
Online purchases increased sharply in June which contributed to a large increase in sales tax revenues remitted by the comptroller in July.
Texas' revenue abundance has shrunk as coronavirus and the oil downturn compressed consumption. Comptroller Glenn Hegar issued a new biennium projection to account for the changes.
After months facing a pandemic and the resulting government-mandated closures, Texas is suffering from tax revenue decreases that have put the state well behind projections.
Due to the pandemic-driven closures and decline in commerce, the State of Texas has brought in about $4 million less in tax revenue as projected through this point in the biennium.
Business closures and stay-home orders have caused Texas' consumption tax revenues to drop significantly. This May, compared to last, brought in $345 million fewer in sales tax revenues.
Texas could face a significant revenue shortfall that would disrupt the ability of the state government to fund its $248 billion biennial budget.
The Texan spoke with two Texas legislators, one Democrat and one Republican, about both their concerns and hopes amid the coronavirus pandemic.
