There is no question that the next Texas Legislative Session will be one for the record books. State agencies have struggled finding ways to cut their budgets to the tune of 15% off the 2012-2013 biennium numbers. A cut of 5% was also implemented in the current 2010-2011 budgets. The Austin American Statesman (Link) reported Monday that there could even be another round of cuts in the near future. Agencies such as Texas Education Agency (TEA), who were shielded from the previous cuts, will not receive the same protection they once relied on.
This comes at the same time as a promise by the state that the budget shortfall, estimated to be 18 Billion, will be reached without raising taxes. This sounds nice but in reality how far are they willing to go before critical services are affected and people start losing their jobs? Texans need to wake up and start realizing what is going on. We as Texans have failed to become educated citizens when it comes to the finances of our state. It seems as though many of us have idly stood by while the capital has made poor financial decisions left and right when it comes to spending. Governor Perry has forgone governmental procedures which in turn has lined his and his colleague’s pockets with cash. And we re-elected him? Of the public eye, many have come to a general consensus that Texas’ finances have been superior in comparison to other states. On the contrary, the opposite has shown to be true.
As Texans, we need to transition from being inactive to actively educating ourselves, since our state’s financial future is in jeopardy. With every budget hole and oversight comes the chance to fill those gaps and repair our economic outlook. It should be our duty as Texans to demand honest analyses of our state’s budget and for the experts of our state to feed us with honest opinions to help prepare realistic solutions as the budget shortfall looms ahead.
