Senate budget panel approves $308 billion spending plan with new money for teachers, mental health, juvenile justice
The proposal for the 2024-25 budget cycle includes $142.1 billion in general revenue spending — about $5 billion higher than the proposal approved last week by the Texas House — at a time when lawmakers have a historic $32.7 billion surplus at their disposal this session.
House panel advances new Texas budget with property tax cuts, teacher pay raises
The proposal recommends spending billions on programs including property tax cuts, teacher pay raises, mental health services and border security. It leaves out requests for pay raises for retired state employees and funding for rent relief and childcare programs.
Texas higher ed leaders optimistic about funding, faculty uneasy about culture wars as new session starts
Community colleges want a funding overhaul this legislative session, and four-year universities are hoping for a boost in research funds. Meanwhile, faculty are bracing for a potential threat to tenure and limits to conversations about race.
Texas universities propose two-year tuition freeze in exchange for nearly $1 billion in additional state funding
The leaders of the state’s six biggest university systems are seeking the money to fund instruction, university operations and employee health insurance and to cover a free tuition program for veterans and their children.
Texas lawmakers will have $188.2 billion available for the next budget after record-breaking revenue growth
It’s far more money than legislators have ever had at their disposal, with an increase in available funds that dwarfs any previous jumps between cycles. It’s also more money than lawmakers can constitutionally spend.
Texas lawmakers have a $27 billion surplus, but a spending cap complicates their goal of lowering property taxes
Texas homeowners have some of the highest property tax bills in the nation, a byproduct of the state’s reliance on such taxes to help pay for public schools and the state’s lack of an income tax.
As inflation skyrockets, local Texas governments ponder tax rate increases as they balance budgets
Local governments in Texas have spent the summer preparing their budgets for next year, wrestling with inflation and a law that prohibits them from raising property tax revenues beyond 3.5% without voter approval.
City Council passes $3.4B budget, including bill credits to CPS customers
The San Antonio City Council is poised to pass a $3.4 billion budget Thursday that includes pay bumps for employees, dozens of new police officer positions, and a property tax cut. But it is unclear whether council members will follow a staff recommendation to send $50 million in extra revenue back to CPS Energy customers or take more time to figure out an alternate use.
City housing department budget set to triple
The housing department’s proposed jump from $48.8 million in the current budget year to $150.2 million for FY 2023 is fueled almost entirely by the city’s first-ever housing bond, which voters approved in May. The $99.9 million in bond money is split between producing and preserving affordable housing.
Texas House speaker pitches spending more than $100 million for mental health, school safety programs
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had asked House leaders to support his push for arming school police officers with bulletproof shields after the Uvalde shooting. House Speaker Dade Phelan is also asking for more money for mental health and school safety programs.
Texas A&M-SA provost steps down following reports on budget deficit, enrollment concerns
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mike O’Brien has stepped down from his post “effective immediately,” according to an email University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson sent to faculty and staff Thursday. The provost’s comments about a $4 million budget shortfall at a Nov. 22 faculty town hall were central to KSAT and other media outlets’ recent reporting.
Faculty fret $4M budget deficit, while Texas A&M-SA says financial position is ‘strong’
In the face of a reported $4 million hole in the current year’s budget, the administration at Texas A&M University-San Antonio claims all is well. Faculty, though, have been left wondering about the university’s financial health and are skeptical of its budgeting practices.
San Antonio City Council adopts $3.1 billion budget
The City Council on Thursday adopted a $3.1 billion budget for the 2022 fiscal year that restores many cuts made over the past two years, focuses on critical community needs, responds to crises differently and makes investments to become a more resilient city.
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas will build a border wall, but doesn’t yet give details on cost or location
The governor suggested more details would be released next week. The announcement Thursday of several initiatives is the latest in an ongoing conflict between Abbott, a Republican, and Democratic President Joe Biden's administration.
Some tips to make your plans for home improvements less scary
When assessing what changes to make to your home this year, some improvements will be your choice. But some improvements are necessary, like repairing big problems you uncover in your new house. To plan for improvements around your home, it helps to have a system to guide your strategy. “I recommend walking around your house, just like you’re getting ready to buy it, because that’s when you’re going to be most critical. Write down everything you see and don’t worry about budget just yet,” Angie’s List Co-Founder, Angie Hicks said.
Proposed city budget tweaks add money for housing, health, and small businesses, but avoid large changes to SAPD
SAN ANTONIO – On the eve of the city council’s vote on the FY 2021 budget, proposed amendments to the $2.9 billion document would make small adjustments to areas like housing, health, and small businesses programs. City staff presented $4 million worth of proposed amendments to the city’s operating budget and $2.4 million worth of additional capital spending on Wednesday, following dozens of council member requests. City staff proposed these $4 million worth of amendments to the city budget. City staff are recommending $2.4 million in additional capital funding in the FY 2021 budget. (City of San Antonio)The city council is scheduled to vote on the FY 2021 budget on Thursday, Sep. 17.
Proposed SAPD budget increase a slap in the face for police reform activists
City of San Antonio staff presented a $2.9 billion budget proposal to city council members on Thursday. I cant help but feel as though this proposed budget is a slap in the face, Celeste Brown told council members during the public comment portion of the meeting. I am strongly urging city council to push back. The majority voiced opposition to a budget increase for police, urging instead for city leaders to divert the money to areas like health care, housing, and education. Walsh told reporters he wanted to provide council members with "a deliberate approach that benefits everyone."
Trial budget shows struggles ahead for San Antonio
San Antonio Employee paychecks, street maintenance, and arts funding could all see cuts as the City of San Antonio tries to find ways to shrink its next budget to meet low revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. City staff presented city council members with a trial budget Thursday that attempts to deal with an expected $109 million shortfall in the general fund over fiscal 2021 and 2022. Forecasts from consultants and city staff showed various revenue sources could take years to return to pre-pandemic levels, meaning cuts are needed. If the economy recovers more quickly than expected, city staff say the council has the flexibility to reverse the cuts. As a result, the trial budget showed arts and culture funding dropping from $11.5 million in the original fiscal 2020 budget to $7.7 million in fiscal 2021.