Texas has an unprecedented budget surplus. What can be done with the billions of dollars?

[TexasTowelie]

When the Texas Legislature meets for the first time this year on Tuesday, the state will be in a position it has never been in before.

The state’s budget surplus is unprecedented, with estimates showing it to be at least $27 billion, and possibly as high as $35 billion.

Why is it so high?

Daniel Sánchez-Piñol, an economist with the conservative think-tank Texas Public Policy Foundation, said it’s all due to inflation.

“A lot of it comes from the sales tax, and because we are living in a high-inflation environment, that means the prices have gone up,” Sánchez-Piñol said. “And every time we make a purchase, we are paying the sales tax.”

Read more: https://www.kut.org/politics/2023-01-09/texas-has-an-unprecedented-budget-surplus-what-can-be-done-with-the-billions-of-dollars

[jimfields33]

1. Seriously. The obvious is to fix the grid. I can't believe they haven't thought of this.

[joshdawg]

6. Someone probably did and was immediately booed out of the building.

republicans are not concerned about the power grid, or about the average Texan. They don't care.

[jimfields33]

9. Gosh. Probably right about the booted part. Also not caring about Texans.

[joshdawg]

12. Everybody likes a little ass, but.............

[Lovie777]

2. California shared it's surplus with many of its residents.........

Yay for Cali!

[TexasTowelie]

3. This is Texas,

expect for the GOP legislature to attempt to reduce or eliminate business taxes. Regular people don't matter.

[halfulglas]

4. And yet the governor handed Biden a letter insisting he needed more cash

while spending some of his cash on stunts.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. IOW, "Reimburse me!"

[joshdawg]

7. Fuck abbott!

[awesomerwb1]

8. They'll find a way to target Dems and "Dem policies"

Immigration comes to mind. More stunts to come.

[Mollyann]

10. Self serving

I have been retired for 16 years this coming May. It would be nice if the TRS could give a COLA every year the way Social Security does.

[GreenWave]

11. They owe me this $. I told them God allows natural abortions in Texas. Now fork over my snitch $

I will help planet if I get it!