In 2306 we will be looking at the Texas budget process soon enough, but the appropriations bill (SB 1) is heading to the floor of the Senate so its not a bad idea to check it out early. As we will see soon enough - the only thing the legislature has to pass is the general appropriations bill. This is what authorize agencies in the state of Texas to draw money from the treasury, which is inkeeping with one of the traditional responsibilities of a legislative branch - to protect the treasury from the executive.
The Legislative Budget Board prepared and introduced a General Appropriations Act for 2014-2015 to both the House and the Senate. The Senate Finance Committee has held hearings on the bill and made changes to it, which mostly included slight increases in spending beyond what was initially proposed by the LBB. This included an extra $1.4 billion to public education - which is short of the $5 billion and change cut in the 82nd session.
We will be looking at detail soon enough, but here's are a few sites where you can get info about the process the appropriations bill has gone through so far. Suffice to say the bill was reported favorably by the committee and was placed on the intent calendar:
- LBB: Budget > 83rd Legislature.
- Open : States SB 1.
- GTLI: General Appropriations and Act.
The companion bill in the House (HB 1) has been referred to the Appropriations Committee, but from what I can see there have been no hearings yet.
