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Texas has $25b budget gap, largest in the nation

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JosefBugman Since: Nov, 2009
#26: Nov 11th 2010 at 1:00:35 PM

It worked in Scandinavia. Plus, I think I can promise things with a clean conciouness rather than saying, effectivly, "Free Beer tomorrow!"

CommandoDude They see me troll'n from Cauhlefohrnia Since: Jun, 2010
They see me troll'n
#27: Nov 11th 2010 at 2:04:53 PM

—> Is not surprised.

Maybe Texas should...*gasp* raise taxes to help deal with the deficit.

And then Texans would cry SOCIALISM.

My other signature is a Gundam.
Linhasxoc Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
#28: Nov 12th 2010 at 6:35:59 AM

I've talked to people who say that all taxes are inherently extortion.
Did you see the "gather your armies" spot? The one where the candidate sites down and complains to George Washington and some other people about how bad taxes were, and Washington and co. rebelled against a tea tax. (Emphasis theirs). This fails history forever so hard, even if all you know about the American Revolution is the Theme Park Version you should be able to realize that something isn't quite right. But a lot of people (apparently) believe that's what it was really about.

Freekippers Pop Music Nerd Since: Jun, 2010
Pop Music Nerd
#29: Nov 13th 2010 at 5:31:24 PM

The legislature meets only every other year for 140 days, and there are always ZOMG EMERGENCY BUDGET SESSIONS! because no one can hash out a budget for a state this size with that amount of time. It also a little known fact that the governor's power, despite is public profile, is diddly squat due to the state constitution. The Lt. Governor, who controls the public purse, is arguably the most powerful man in Texas. I have no idea why David Dewhurst keeps getting elected.

Freekippers Pop Music Nerd Since: Jun, 2010
Pop Music Nerd
#30: Nov 13th 2010 at 5:39:05 PM

Only in Texas. From the Texas Monthly "

Is it time to institute annual budget sessions?

posted by paulburka at 10:13 AM

Another regular session is approaching, and most people involved in writing the state budget have no idea about the size of the shortfall. Yet, orders have gone out from Perry, Dewhurst, and Straus for state agencies to cut their budgets by 10%, with another 15% yet to come. All this is occurring without anyone knowing how deep the hole is. At the same time, we are learning that sales tax collections are way up. Just what is the fiscal condition of the state? The previous revenue estimate by Comptroller Combs proved to be too optimistic. The 2003 revenue estimate by Comptroller Strayhorn proved to be too pessimistic. She said lawmakers were facing a $9.9 billion shortfall. This estimate sent the Legislature into a frenzy of budget cutting. In fact, we ended the biennium with a substantial surplus. (Many believe that Strayhorn undercooked the revenue estimate to make Perry look bad.)

The point is this: The best-case scenario for writing the 2011-2012 budget, under current practices, is that the work will be completed in June 2011. That is five months into the biennium, nineteen to go. Wouldn’t it make more sense to write the budget in the second year of the biennium, when we have a lot more information about how the economy is faring? The current way that we write our budgets lends itself to panicked budget-cutting any time that there is a downturn. Suspicious minds might even conclude that this is deliberate, because it plays to the ideology of the leadership.

A thirty-day budget session in June 2012, three months before the end of the biennium, would allow budget writers to prepare a budget based on the latest economic information. Instead, we are writing budgets while we are still in the dark about economic trends. We need a constitutional amendment authorizing a thirty- (or sixty-) day budget sessions in the summer of even-numbered years."

http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/?p=8034

This is seriously NO WAY to run a state second in population only to California.

Deboss I see the Awesomeness. from Awesomeville Texas Since: Aug, 2009
I see the Awesomeness.
#31: Nov 13th 2010 at 5:39:55 PM

Don't blame me, I voted libertarian.

Fight smart, not fair.
Freekippers Pop Music Nerd Since: Jun, 2010
Pop Music Nerd
#32: Nov 13th 2010 at 5:42:44 PM

Hmm, I can't see libertarians being too happy about having an extra sessions with those untrustworthy congress-critters. To run a state this size, we really need a full-time legislature.

Freekippers Pop Music Nerd Since: Jun, 2010
Pop Music Nerd
#33: Nov 13th 2010 at 5:45:17 PM

Also, remember the Killer D's? I can't wait to see what shenanigans each party is gonna pull during the redistricting bloodbath. It's gonna make next year's budget look like a cake-walk. evil grin

Deboss I see the Awesomeness. from Awesomeville Texas Since: Aug, 2009
I see the Awesomeness.
#34: Nov 13th 2010 at 6:45:30 PM

You know you can edit your own posts right? No need to double post.

Fight smart, not fair.
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