From Rep. Ken Paxton
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Earlier this week Governor Rick Perry and the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) directed state agencies to identify 10 percent savings (in five percent increments) in general revenue-related funding when reviewing their appropriations requests for the 2014-2015 biennial budget. I applaud their efforts to encourage efficiency and fiscal accountability in order to keep Texas economy strong during these challenging economic times.
This directive is similar in scope to the one provided by leadership prior to the last legislative session. This starting point will help guide the Legislature when creating and passing the States budget next legislation session which begins in January 2013. Appropriations requests by the agencies must be submitted to the Governors Office and LBB by the end of August.
As part of his Texas Budget Compact Governor Perry has provided the following outline in order to ensure the State remains committed to responsible governing:
- Practice truth in budgeting;
- Support a Constitutional limit of spending to the growth of population and inflation;
- Oppose any new taxes or tax increases and make the small business tax exemption permanent;
- Preserve a strong Rainy Day Fund; and
- Cut unnecessary / duplicative government programs and agencies.
Given the current economic trends our State government must act responsibly when spending taxpayer dollars especially as Texans are working to decrease their own personal spending. Now is the perfect time to enact strict limits to eliminate unnecessary governmental growth and spending in Texas.
To view the letter to state agencies please visit
http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/LAR/LAR20Policy20Letter.pdf. To view the LBBs instructions to state agencies please visit
http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/LAR/LAR.htm.
