State Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced last week that state revenue, including sales tax and oil and gas revenues, will add almost $15 billion to the 2022-2023 biennium budget. The announcement came with a nod to inflation and the possibility of recession.
The July 14 announcement said there is $149.07 billion in general revenue-related (GR-R) funds available for general purpose spending for the 2022-2023 biennium, resulting in a projected fiscal 2023 ending balance of $26.95 billion, an increase of $14.95 billion from the November projected balance, according to the news release.
The ending balance does not account for any 2022-2023 supplemental appropriations the Legislature may make, it said.
Prior to the revenue announcement, Gov. Greg Abbott on June 28 made a budget execution order transferring funds to support public safety training and fortify school security.
“Pursuant to Section 317.005(b) of the Government Code, I am ratifying the proposal. As the Legislative Budget Board noted, these funds are necessary to support additional mental health and school safety initiatives during the 2022-2023 state fiscal biennium and that need creates an emergency,” he stated. “There is no government function more critical than public safety. Though there is tremendous work that will need to be undertaken in the 88th Legislative Session, there are definitive actions we can take today that will improve safety and security for the upcoming school year.”
Just more than $17,000 will be distributed via the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for silent panic buttons and $5.8 million to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program, which is administered through university health centers.
In addition to public safety training, equipment and mental health services, there is funding that may include technology or web content components. The full budget order is recorded in the July 8 edition of the Texas Register.
Texas Budgets Remain Steady and Will Receive Additional Funds
Updates begin on which departments will see a bump due to inflation — and which ones won't.
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