Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 1, the Senate Budget, by Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound:
"Despite the uncertainty of this budget cycle months before the legislative session, Texas is coming back stronger than ever because our fiscal foundation is strong and our conservative budgeting principles are sound. When we began work on the budget last summer, we were facing the economic challenges brought about by the pandemic as well as the market problems that plagued our oil and gas industry. At that time, I committed to making sure that we kept our commitment to education and property tax cuts laid out in 2019 in House Bill 3. SB 1 does that.
"SB 1 also continues our long-standing support for infrastructure, law enforcement and health care, including mental health. Because the situation at our southern border has worsened because of the uncaring and wrong-headed policies of the Biden Administration, we will continue to maintain our commitment to border security to protect Texans, not only on the border but across the state.
"Creating the budget for Texas, which has the 9th largest economy in the world, is a massive project. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jane Nelson has done a masterful job and I want to thank her for her tireless work and leadership. She and the Senate Finance Committee have put in many hard days and nights and we are grateful for their diligence and persistence. Like every budget passed by the Senate since I have been lieutenant governor, SB 1 is within the spending limit set by the Texas Constitution, and, once again, the growth rate does not exceed population times inflation. SB 1 will help ensure that the economic forecast for Texas will continue to be bright."
