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Home >> Research >> Budget

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Related Topics

• Writing the Texas Budget for 2012 and 2013
• A Balanced Approach to Meeting the Needs of Texas
• School Boards and Superintendents Need to Call Upon Governor to Act by September 9 to Gain $830 Million

Also by Dick Lavine

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• Senior Fiscal Analyst Dick Lavine Testifies Before House Ways and Means

Spending Cap: The Constitutional Spending Limit and School Property Taxes

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Author:
Dick Lavine /(512) 320-0222 x 101

November 29, 2006

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The state's commitment to reduce school property taxes by one-third in fiscal 2008 has called into play a little-known restriction on state budgeting--the constitutional limit on spending--which limits the amount of state taxes that may be spent. The Legislative Budget Board met November 27 to consider setting the amount of the cap, as required by statute, but adjourned until January without taking action. This Policy Page explains the cap, the restrictions it imposes on the state budgets, and how it should be applied.