Interim Charges - The State Budget Print E-mail
Friday, 30 November 2007
Two of the most significant interim charges will study the effectiveness of the state's budget structure and will examine alternative methods to determining the state's spending limit. During a time of record surpluses, we should reinvigorate our effort to spend and budget wisely. The bottom line is we don’t spend government money, we spend taxpayer money, and we must be good stewards of the resources given to us. The question for legislators to consider is whether we can do more to protect taxpayer interests while still investing wisely in the priorities of the people.

Texas has used a performance-based budgeting system in determining how to direct funding to various agencies. In order to ensure a sound budget structure and effectiveness, the House Appropriations Committee will be reviewing how the state goes about writing its budget.

Additionally, the state's current spending limit is based on growth in the economy – specifically growth in personal income. However, several legislators are interested in passing an even stricter spending limit.  The committee will also look at other states' models to determine if they achieve stricter controls on government spending.
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