This from Felicia Cravens, Houston Tea Party Society ...

The Budget Battle

By Felicia Cravens

The Texas Legislature is struggling right now to balance the funds available to spend with the public’s growing appetite for public services.  Everything from prison programs to education is on the block, and a hot debate is raging over using some or all of the Rainy Day Fund to balance the budget.  One representative is even blaming his constituents for his stance, stating that they’ll “spank him” if he votes for cuts.

The problem is this: the state legislature in 2009 budgeted for the current fiscal year with funds they expected to get.  When revenues didn’t match that estimate, they had to start making choices.  They could

• raise taxes
• cut budgets
• raid the Rainy Day Fund
• or some combination of the above

At present there is little serious talk about raising taxes.  The Rainy Day Fund, however, is on the table, as are steep cuts.  The legislators are saying that they’re getting numerous calls every day asking the legislature to use the Rainy Day Fund rather than cut the budget.  What, then, could be more tempting than to see that pile of emergency funds and plot to dip into it to save them the grief and outcry they’ll have to deal with if they make cuts?  What is the political upside to cutting programs and budgets for these members who have to stand for election next year?  Is there any motivation for them to try to make Texas’ government more lean ...

See the whole post here.

**And a PDF of the Comparison Study

for you to share around is here.**