The Texas Legislature convenes in January and faces decisions on how much of a record surplus to spend, how much to set aside, and what to spend it on.
The expenditures were approved through the budget execution process, which allows a shift of appropriations without convening the state legislature.
The Texas legislature is now primed to approve over $150 million in funding for a variety of school shooting-related measures before students return in the fall.
After a call for immediate action by Patrick, Phelan said the House will evaluate the Uvalde shooting thoroughly before making any recommendations.
Gov. Greg Abbott said on social media that he will veto Article 10 of the state's budget, which includes funding for the legislature itself.
The Texas legislature has one constitutional mandate every session: to pass a balanced budget.
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.
The legislature cannot appropriate higher than a seven percent increase in general revenue spending for the next biennium when the body convenes in January.
State leaders called on some Texas agencies to trim budgets by 5 percent after numbers from the comptroller’s office showed tax revenue down $989 million this April compared to 2019.
With tax revenues declining, cities and counties may look to raise property taxes above the 3.5 percent threshold instituted by SB 2 thanks to a loophole in the law.
The request sent to most state agencies anticipates a shortfall in the state's revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic and government-mandated lockdown.
Because of the statewide disaster declaration, local taxing entities will be able to raise property taxes above the thresholds instituted by SB 2.
