The Senate’s budget draft is $2.3 billion more than the house budget draft. The Senate bill proposes $158.7 billion from all fund sources for the 2012-13 biennium, a $28.8 billion, or 15.4 percent reduction over current spending.  The House plan proposes $156.4 billion, a $31.1 billion, or 16.6 percent, decrease from the current 2010-11 biennium from all funds.

In General Revenue Funds (GR), including funds dedicated within GR, the Senate bill proposes $79.7 billion for the 2012-13 biennium; the House proposes $79.3 billion for the 2012-13 biennium.

Both the House and Senate versions of the budget bill:

  • Balances budget through program reductions without raising taxes;
  • Does NOT tap the Economic Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund), the balance of which is projected to be $9.4 billion in fiscal year 2013;
  • Does NOT include funding for HHSC caseload or cost growth;
  • Does NOT provide for the replacement of an estimated $4.3 billion in federal stimulus funds associated with a higher Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP); and
  • ASSUME in Article II provider rate reductions of *10 percent. (*the actual numbers in the bill can reflect higher reductions due to factors discussed above.)

For a quick review, HillCo has compiled some basic information from the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) posted documents. The LBB Summaries note in both the House  and Senate summary that funding increases or decreases are from the 2010-11 biennial spending levels that reflect appropriation reduction plans approved by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker (estimated to be $1.4 billion).

The appropriations bill will be changed multiple times from these original drafts before the final version and final language is agreed to and sent to the Governor’s desk.

 

General Revenue Funds and General Revenue-Dedicated Funds

     

(In Millions)

     

Function

House Recommended 2012-13

Senate Recommended 2012-13

House Biennial Changed

Senate Biennial Changed

House Percentage Change

Senate Percentage Change

Article I – General Government

$2608.6

$2702.8

($455.2)

($361)

(14.9%)

(11.8%)

Article II – Health and Human Services

20922.7

19940.4

(1741.5)

(2723.9)

(7.7)

(12)

Article III – Agencies of Education

44316.8

45633.7

(5045.6)

(3728.7)

(10.2)

(7.6)

Public Education

30720.3

31504.3

(3063.7)

(2279.7)

(9.1)

(6.7)

Higher Education

13596.5

14129.4

(1981.9)

(1449)

(12.7)

(9.3)

Article IV – The Judiciary

429.1

429.1

(60.8)

(60.8)

(12.4)

(12.4)

Article V – Public Safety and Criminal Justice

7626.5

7831.5

(1069.3)

(864.4)

(12.3)

(9.9)

Article VI – Natural Resources

1581.8

1590.6

(588.1)

(579.4)

(27.1)

(26.7)

Article VII – Business and Economic Development

822.5

822.5

(145.6)

(145.6)

(15)

(15)

Article VIII – Regulatory

657.1

492.4

(82.1)

(246.8)

(11.1)

(33.4)

Article IX – General Provisions

(5.5)

(44.8)

(5.5)

(44.8)

NA

NA

Article X – The Legislature

335

335

(37.2)

(37.2)

(10)

(10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total, All Functions

$79294.6

$79733

($9231.0)

($8792.6)

(10.4%)

(9.9%)

 

Spotlight of House and Senate Summaries

 

House 

Senate

For the 2012–13 biennium total $156.4 billion from all fund sources.

For the 2012–13 biennium total $158.7 billion from all fund sources.

$31.1 billion, or 16.6 percent, decrease from the 2010–11 biennial level.

$28.8 billion, or 15.4 percent, decrease from the 2010–11 biennial level.

Article II Health and Human Services $35.2 billion in All Funds, including $14.6 billion in General Revenue Funds and General Revenue–Dedicated Funds, is provided for the Texas Medicaid program.

Article IIHealth and Human Services  $35.2 billion in All Funds, including $13.6 billion in General Revenue Funds and General Revenue–Dedicated Funds, is provided for the Texas Medicaid program.

Recommendations include $220.9 million in General Obligation bond proceeds out of estimated balances remaining as of August 31, 2011 for cancer prevention and research grants and agency operations. Contingent on the passage of legislation authorizing the issuance of cancer related bonds to be issued on an as needed basis, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas is appropriated $600 million General Obligation bond proceeds for cancer prevention and research grants.

Recommendations include $220.9 million in General Obligation bond proceeds out of estimated balances remaining as of August 31, 2011 for cancer prevention and research grants and agency operations. Contingent on the passage of legislation authorizing the issuance of cancer related bonds to be issued on an as needed basis, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas is appropriated $600 million General Obligation bond proceeds for cancer prevention and research grants.

Poison Control Program CSEC administers grants to the six regional poison control centers throughout the state and provides for the telecommunications network. Recommendations of
$13.1 million provide primarily for grants for poison call center operations ($10.9 million), network operations ($1.8 million), and program management ($0.4 million).

Poison Control Program CSEC administers grants to the six regional poison control centers throughout the state and provides for the telecommunications network. Recommendations of
$13.1 million provide primarily for grants for poison call center operations ($10.9 million), network operations ($1.8 million), and program management ($0.4 million).

A reduction of $411.9 million in formula funding, the result of a 10 percent reduction in the General Academic and most of the Health-related Institution’s formulas. Also
included in this amount is the elimination of funding for four community colleges.

A reduction of $238.8 million in formula funding, the result of a 5 percent reduction in the General Academic, Community Colleges and most of the Health-related Institution’s formulas.

Public Education $32.8 billion in All Funds

Public Education $33.3 billion in All Funds

Public Education – $26.7 billion in General Revenue Funds and General Revenue–Dedicated Funds is provided for the Foundation School Program (FSP)

Public Education – $27.2 billion
in General Revenue Funds and General Revenue–Dedicated Funds is provided for the Foundation School Program (FSP).

The total funding level for the FSP is estimated to be $9.8 billion below the amount required to fund the school finance formulas under the Texas Education Code.

The total funding level for the FSP is estimated to be $9.3 billion below the amount required to fund the school finance formulas under the Texas Education Code.

Education – Technology Allotment
No funding is provided for the Technology Allotment.

Education – Technology Allotment
No funding is provided for the Technology Allotment.

Education Recommendation does not include specifically designated funding for:      
• District Awards for Teacher Excellence ($385.1 million),
• the Student Success Initiative ($293.2 million),
• Pre-kindergarten grants and Early Childhood School Readiness programs ($223.3 million),
• the High School Completion and Success Initiative ($86.0 million),
Educational Aide/Early High School Graduation/TANF tuition exemptions ($43.2 million),
• Science Lab Grants ($35.0 million),
• Texas Advanced Placement Incentive Program ($28.4 million),
• the Virtual School Network ($20.3 million),
• Middle School PE grants ($20 million),
• Life Skills Teen Parenting ($19.7 million),
• LEP Student Success Initiative ($19.4 million),
• the Texas Reading/Math/Science Initiative ($16.1 million),
• Optional Extended Year Program ($14.1 million),
• School Bus Seat Belt grants ($10 million).

Education Recommendation does not include specifically designated funding for:      
• District Awards for Teacher Excellence ($385.1 million),
• the Student Success Initiative ($293.2 million),
• Pre-kindergarten grants and Early Childhood School Readiness programs ($223.3 million),
• the High School Completion and Success Initiative ($86.0 million),
Educational Aide/Early High School Graduation/TANF tuition exemptions ($43.2 million),
• Science Lab Grants ($35.0 million),
• Texas Advanced Placement Incentive Program ($28.4 million),
• the Virtual School Network ($20.3 million),
• Middle School PE grants ($20 million),
• Life Skills Teen Parenting ($19.7 million),
• LEP Student Success Initiative ($19.4 million),
• the Texas Reading/Math/Science Initiative ($16.1 million),
• Optional Extended Year Program ($14.1 million),
• School Bus Seat Belt grants ($10 million).

House does not have that specific Rider.

Rider #53 – $400 million directed by Rider 53 for four general purposes: improving high school completion and college readiness; improving pre-kindergarten and early childhood education; improving intervention strategies for struggling students, campuses, and districts; and improving educator effectiveness.

Transportation – $15.4 billion in All Funds is provided for Transportation planning and design, right-of-way
acquisition, construction, maintenance, and bond debt service. The recommendations
represent a $508.5 million decrease in All Funds

Transportation – $15.4 billion in All Funds is provided for Transportation planning and design, right-of-way
acquisition, construction, maintenance, and bond debt service. The recommendations
represent a $508.5 million decrease in All Funds

State Energy Conservation Office
Recommendations provide $82.6 million for programs to reduce energy consumption of state and local entities. The Office’s largest program is LoanSTAR, which provides revolving loans to state agencies and local governments, including school districts, to retrofit buildings with new technology and equipment to reduce energy and water consumption.

State Energy Conservation Office
Recommendations provide $82.6 million for programs to reduce energy consumption of state and local entities. The Office’s largest program is LoanSTAR, which provides revolving loans to state agencies and local governments, including school districts, to retrofit buildings with new technology and equipment to reduce energy and water consumption.

Texas Enterprise Fund
Recommendations include $151.3 million in estimated unexpended balances out of the Texas Enterprise Fund program, created in 2003, to provide economic incentives for businesses to relocate to Texas. Increased funding is attributed to unexpended balances not obligated in 2010–11 and moved forward for expenditure in 2012–13.

Texas Enterprise Fund
Recommendations include $151.3 million in estimated unexpended balances out of the Texas Enterprise Fund program, created in 2003, to provide economic incentives for businesses to relocate to Texas. Increased funding is attributed to unexpended balances not obligated in 2010–11 and moved forward for expenditure in 2012–13.

Texas Emerging Technology Fund
Recommendations provide for $21.3 million for the Texas
Emerging Technology Fund program, created in 2005.

Texas Emerging Technology Fund
Recommendations provide for $21.3 million for the Texas
Emerging Technology Fund program, created in 2005.

Aid to Local Libraries
Recommendations eliminate funding for Loan Star
Libraries grants for public library service enhancements,
Texas Reads grants for literacy programs and Library
System Negotiated Grants for regional library system
initiatives. General Revenue funding for consulting services
to public libraries also is eliminated.

Aid to Local Libraries
Recommendations eliminate funding for Loan Star
Libraries grants for public library service enhancements,
Texas Reads grants for literacy programs and Library
System Negotiated Grants for regional library system
initiatives. General Revenue funding for consulting services
to public libraries also is eliminated.

Pension Review Board

The recommendations provide funding for the oversight of the management of the state’s public retirement systems, as well as the providing of educational and technical assistance to these systems. The recommendations include amending statute to assess a mandatory fee to these public retirement systems, based on their number of active members and annuitants, which would be deposited into the State Pension Review Board Fund No. 662 and appropriated to the agency, replacing General Revenue.

Pension Review Board
The recommendations provide funding for the oversight of
the management of the state’s public retirement systems,
as well as the providing of educational and technical
assistance to these systems. The recommendations
include amending statute to assess a mandatory fee to
these public retirement systems, based on their number of
active members and annuitants, which would be deposited
into the State Pension Review Board Fund No. 662 and
appropriated to the agency, replacing General Revenue.

TCEQ – The largest program reduction occurs in Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) funding at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), which is reduced by 50 percent ($114.3 million). Likewise, recommendations for TCEQ eliminate funding for the Low Income Vehicle Repair, Replacement and Retrofit Program (LIRAP). Grants for the development and acquisition of new local parks at the TPWD (TPWD) and flood control dam repair and maintenance grants at the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) are zero-funded for the 2012–13 biennium. In addition, state contributions for two cost-share programs, pass-through funding for boll weevil eradication at TDA and water quantity enhancement (brush control) project funding at TSSWCB, are funded at approximately 50 percent of 2010–11 levels.

TCEQ – The largest program reduction occurs in Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) funding at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), which is reduced by 50 percent ($114.3 million). Likewise, recommendations for TCEQ eliminate funding for the Low Income Vehicle Repair, Replacement and Retrofit Program (LIRAP). Grants for the development and acquisition of new local parks at the TPWD (TPWD) and flood control dam repair and maintenance grants at the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) are zero-funded for the 2012–13 biennium. In addition, state contributions for two cost-share programs, pass-through funding for boll
weevil eradication at TDA and water quantity enhancement (brush control) project funding at TSSWCB, are funded at approximately 50 percent of 2010–11 levels.

Funding for Coastal Erosion Program

Recommendations for the General Land Office and Veterans’ Land Board include a 50 percent reduction in Interagency Contracts funding from the TPWD derived from the Sporting Goods Sales Tax Allocation (General Revenue) for coastal management and erosion control projects.

Funding for Coastal Erosion Program
Recommendations for the General Land Office and Veterans’ Land Board include a 6 percent reduction in Interagency Contracts funding from the TPWD derived from the Sporting Goods Sales Tax Allocation (General
Revenue) for coastal management and erosion control projects.

Local Park, Boating Access and Other Grants

An All Funds decrease of $46.7 million, which includes a decrease of $30 million from GR-related funds and $16.7 million in Federal Funds to suspend grants for new local parks, boating access, and trails for the 2012–13 biennium and reduce existing program administration costs by 50 percent (includes 8.5 FTE reductions).

Local Park, Boating Access and Other Grants
An All Funds decrease of $46.7 million, which includes a decrease of $30 million from GR-related funds and $16.7 million in Federal Funds to suspend grants for new local
parks, boating access, and trails for the 2012–13 biennium and reduce existing program administration costs by 50 percent (includes 8.5 FTE reductions).

Homeless Housing and Services Decreased General Revenue by $20 million for homeless
housing and services which provides case management and housing placement and retention services for homeless individuals and families.

Homeless Housing and Services Decreased General Revenue by $20 million for homeless
housing and services which provides case management and housing placement and retention services for homeless individuals and families.

 

To read the summaries or bills complete text:

Senate

2012-13 Legislative Budget Estimates: Summary
2012-13 Legislative Budget Estimates
2012-13 General Appropriations Bill (Senate Bill 1)

House

2012-13 Legislative Budget Estimates: Summary
2012-13 Legislative Budget Estimates
2012-13 General Appropriations Bill (House Bill 1)