Good morning, 

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Brandon Waltens

Monday, June 7, 2021
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• With the state legislature now having adjourned their regular session, many are mourning the death of conservative priorities.
   
• However, there were still some taxpayer victories. One such win was the strengthening of the state spending limit.

• Texas’ current constitutional spending limit only applies to state tax revenue not dedicated by the Constitution, which constitutes about half of the total state budget.
   

• Senate Bill 1336 by State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R–North Richland Hills) will change that. Instead, the bill caps the growth of state spending at the rate of population plus inflation.
   

• An exception is made, however, for “an appropriation to pay costs associated with recovery from a disaster declared by the governor,” as well as funds dedicated to tax relief.
   

• Additionally, the bill would subject all state funds—but not federal funds—to the growth limit.

• SB 1336 passed largely on party lines out of the Senate and House, with most Democrats opposing the measure.
   

• Strengthening the state’s spending limit has long been a priority of conservatives. Previous efforts, however, had been thwarted in the legislature.
   

• Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to approve the proposal in the coming days. It will go into effect for the next biennial budget, Fiscal Year 2023-2024

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