Austin, Texas—Today, the Texas Senate & House gave final approval to the state budget for the next 2 years. This is a responsible, conservative, forward thinking budget that funds our future, while staying within our means. It includes historic property tax relief, an unprecedented investment in Texas public schools, maintains our commitment to border security, and will fund critical infrastructure projects for our growing state.
These landmark investments are only possible because of our history of conservative budgeting and strong, growing economy. I applaud my colleagues for funding Texas’ priorities and setting us on a path to future success, all while staying well below the state’s constitutional spending limit.
Highlights of the state budget for 2020-2021
Highlights of the state budget for 2020-2021
Conservative Budget
Within all Constitutional Spending Limits
$811 million under the ‘pay-as-you-go’ limit
Well under population + inflation
Property Taxes
$5 billion is appropriated to reduce the property tax rate in 2020, and adds 2.5% compression in 2021
Increases the state’s share of public education, reducing the burden on local taxpayers
Public Safety
Includes $800 for border security
Increases human trafficking funds by $40 billion
Allocates $100 million for school ‘hardening’
Public Education
Reduces recapture by $3.6 billion
Designates $2 billion to compensate Texas teachers, librarians, nurses & counselors.
Includes $2.4 billion to fund enrollment growth
Harvey Relief and Infrastructure (funded through SB 500, supplemental budget)
$3.5 billion to help the state recover and rebuild from Hurricane Harvey, and better prepare the entire state for future storms.
$800 million to help Harvey-impacted school districts
Provides the local match dollars to draw down roughly $6.3 billion in federal relief.