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[MustReadTexas.com]([link removed]) – [@MustReadTexas]([link removed])
BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])

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**TUESDAY** || 1/14/25

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**Good Tuesday morning.**
_Thank you for being a paid subscriber._

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_“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator __**Phil Gramm**__ (R-TX)_

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* **TOP NEWS**

“**Texas lawmakers will have $194.6 billion to spend for the next budget, comptroller projects,**” Texas Tribune's** Pooja Salhotra **— “Texas is projected to have $194.6 billion available in general revenue to fund the business of the state over the 2026-2027 biennium, a slight decrease from the last budget cycle, Texas Comptroller **Glenn Hegar** said Monday in his [biennial revenue estimate]([link removed]) to state lawmakers and leaders.

The estimate comes one day before the Texas Legislature convenes on Tuesday for the start of the 2025 legislative session. The only thing lawmakers are constitutionally required to do during the 140-day session ending on June 2 is pass a balanced budget, one that spends no more than what is estimated to be available.

This year’s estimate reflects a 1.1% drop from the amount of funds available during the 2024-25 biennium, when lawmakers were flush with a [“once-in-a-lifetime”]([link removed]) cash balance, Hegar said. The drop is attributable to a smaller beginning balance compared to the previous budget cycle, not a drop in state revenue. Tax collections are projected to rise, and for the first time, the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund — also known as the rainy day fund — is expected to exceed its constitutional cap. As a result, lawmakers have more money than is typical for general purpose spending.

Still, Hegar said lawmakers should make thoughtful financial decisions that focus on improving Texans’ lives.

“Despite positive economic numbers, many of our residents continue to feel the higher cost of groceries, housing and other necessities. And the lingering impacts of persistently rising prices mean many are struggling to ensure a bright future for their children,” Hegar said in a Monday statement accompanying the budget estimate.

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The estimate includes an anticipated $176.4 billion in new revenue, most of which comes from sales and energy tax collections and can only be spent in the upcoming budget cycle. Sales tax collections are projected to increase by 9% from the previous two-year period, reaching $94.2 billion the next two years.

The estimated funds also includes $23.8 billion expected to be leftover from the 2024-25 biennium. Part of those leftover dollars include $4.5 billion that were earmarked for public education and education savings accounts but were not used because lawmakers [failed to reach a compromise]([link removed]) to enact a voucher-like program.

This year, lawmakers are expected to prioritize passing a private school voucher program that uses taxpayer dollars to help pay for students’ private schooling. Lt. Gov. **Dan Patrick**, who presides over the Texas Senate, has [called on]([link removed]) Gov. **Greg Abbott** to declare school vouchers an emergency item to give lawmakers a jumpstart on pushing the bill through the Legislature. Lawmakers cannot pass any bills within the first 60 days of the session unless it has been labeled an emergency item by the governor." [Texas Tribune]([link removed])

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**FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED**_: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries._

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TX TRIB: “**The Texas Legislature is back. Here's what we are watching**” [Texas Tribune]([link removed])

TX TRIB: “**Texas House to pick new speaker, concluding brutal proxy war**” [Texas Tribune]([link removed])

DMN: **Editorial:** “**Texas House speaker race is a GOP purity disaster**” [DMN]([link removed]) ($)

AAS: “**How a school voucher program in Texas could affect policies across US: It'd 'be a big deal'**” [AAS]([link removed]) ($)

KXAN: “**Texas AG accuses Allstate, Arity of using tracking software to raise insurance rates**” [KXAN]([link removed])

TX TRIB: “**Gov. Greg Abbott appoints Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Shawn Thierry to juvenile justice board**” [Texas Tribune]([link removed])

KVUE: “**Gov. Greg Abbott orders flags raised at Texas Capitol for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration**” [KVUE]([link removed])

SAEN: “**San Antonio's H-E-B takes top spot again in national grocery ranking**” [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)

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* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**

> TX TRIB: "**When is a business to blame for over-serving? Texas Supreme Court weighs the line in drunk driving case**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> TX TRIB: "**Texas Supreme Court to decide legal battle over El Paso migrant shelter’s future**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
_ _> TX TRIB: "**An education ecosystem is being built in Elon Musk’s image. It starts in Bastrop County.**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
_ _> AP: "**Company linked to Alex Jones doubles offer to buy Infowars after failed bankruptcy auction**" _[AP]([link removed])_
_ _> FWST: "**Eight arrested in Dallas-Fort Worth gun crime operation, police say**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
_ _> HOU CHRON: "**Top Trump aide joins Texas push to shutter a Catholic border nonprofit that helps migrants**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
_ _> HOU CHRON: "**Funding, culture wars amid higher ed concerns in Texas Legislative session**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
_ _> HOU CHRON: "**Will taxpayers have to cover Texas’ leaking oil gas and wells?**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Dude Perfect reveals Frisco headquarters with Tom Brady, CeeDee Lamb**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
_ _> DMN: "**Morton’s The Steakhouse closed in Dallas after nearly 40 years**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
_ _> FWST: "**These North Texas school districts banned cell phones. What happened next?**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
_ _> TPR: "**Earth breaks yearly heat record and lurches past dangerous warming threshold**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
_ _> DMN: "**McDonald’s closing three CosMc’s in D-FW**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
_ _> DMN: "**2 dead following car crash in Grand Prairie early Monday morning**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
_ _> DMN: "**McKinney council votes to support airport terminal, passenger service**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
_ _> DMN: "**Bill Cox to run for McKinney mayor; Charlie Philips drops from race**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
_ _> TPR: "**Rural Texas needs more public defenders. A state commission wants nearly $44M to help**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
_ _> TPR: "**People are rushing to install solar panels before Trump becomes president**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
_ _> TPR: "**The pros and cons of at-home tests for colorectal cancer**" _[TPR]([link removed])_

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* **EXTRA POINTS**

Last weekend's Texas sports scores:
> NBA: **Houston** 120, Memphis 118
> NBA: **San Antonio **126, LA Lakers 102
> NCAAM: **Prairie View A&M **75, Arkansas Pine Bluff 64
> NCAAM: **Texas Southern **82, Mississippi Valley State 53
> NCAAM: SE Louisiana 66, **Stephen F. Austin** 59
> NCAAM: **UT-RGV** 57, **East Texas A&M **55
> NCAAM: Nichols 88, **Incarnate Word** 82
> NCAAM: McNeese 75, **Houston Christian** 59
> NCAAM: New Orleans 68, **Lamar** 62
> NCAAM: **Texas A&M-Corpus Christi** 73, Northwestern State 64

Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 6pm: NHL: **Dallas **at Toronto** **(ESPN+)
> 6pm: NCAAM: #11 **Texas A&M **at #8 Kentucky (ESPN2)
> 6pm: NCAAM: **North Texas **at East Carolina (ESPN+)
> 7pm: NCAAM: **UTSA **at **Rice** (ESPN+)
> 8pm: NCAAM: **Texas Tech **at Kansas State (CBS Sports Network)
> 8:30pm: NBA: Denver at **Dallas **(TNT)
> 10pm: NCAAM: #25 **Baylor **at Arizona (ESPN)

**HOUSTON TEXANS**: "Why the KC Chiefs are the best matchup for the Houston Texans" [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) ($)

**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "14 candidates Jerry Jones, Cowboys could interview for Head Coach opening" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)

**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "Timing of breakup with McCarthy puts Jones, Cowboys in a bind" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)

**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "Once Jerry Jones finds new Head Coach, Cowboys owner can't ignore roster holes" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)

**TEXAS FOOTBALL**: "More Longhorns join growing list of UT players declaring for NFL Draft" [KVUE]([link removed])

**HOUSTON ROCKETS**: "Green ties career high with 42 points as Rockets rally for 120-118 victory over Grizzlies" [AP]([link removed])

**SAN ANTONIO SPURS**: "Lakers lose to Spurs 126-102 in their 1st game back after wildfire postponements" [AP]([link removed])

**DALLAS MAVERICKS**: "Could Kyrie Irving return soon? Mavericks eager to add 'his gravity' back to the lineup" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)

**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Chris Martin guaranteed $5.5 million in 1-year deal with Rangers, can earn $500,000 bonuses" [AP]([link removed])

**JUSTIN VERLANDER**: "Houston Astros: Ace Justin Verlander reflects on end of time with team" [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) ($)

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