Today Governor Greg Abbott signed the budget into law and stated in his proclamation that the budget achieves many goals, "while restraining state-controlled spending below the growth in the state’s estimated population and inflation."
Abbott also stated that "during the upcoming special session of the 85th Legislature, passage of legislation or a constitutional amendment to ensure the state continues to budget within responsible spending limitations will remain a top priority.”
Abbott concluded in his proclamation that there were approximately $120 million in reductions made by vetoes in order to "further restrain the growth of government and reduce the expenditure of taxpayer funds.”
Spotlight on Veto Statements
Abbott provided the statements below to each of the following items he objected to and disapproved of:
Colonias Initiatives (C.1.2 Strategy- Secretary of State)
“Services to help improve the lives of Texans living in colonias are funded across numerous other state agencies, including the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of State Health Services, the Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and the Department of Transportation. Each of these agencies provides direct client services to Texans living in colonias, while the Secretary of State primarily serves in a liaison and reporting role.”
Collaborative Dual Credit Program Evaluation
“Neither participating state agency requested funding for this item in their 2018—19 Legislative Appropriations Request. This new rider is duplicative of an existing dual credit study currently being commissioned by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. To keep Texas fiscally strong, we must limit unnecessary state spending.”
Legislative Law Clinic
“The University of Texas at Austin did not request funding for this item in its 2018—19 Legislative Appropriation Request. If the Legislative Law Clinic is a priority, the University may continue to use other resources to maintain this program.”
Guardianship Compliance Project
“This rider creates a new state level compliance structure for guardians. This would result in a permanent increase both in government spending and employment. While I signed multiple bills to reform the guardianship process, a new state compliance and reporting structure for guardians is unnecessary bureaucracy and unnecessary spending. That is why I will veto Senate Bill 667.”
DPS Safety Education
“This appropriation exceeds the amount requested by the Department of Public Safety to fund this new strategy. If it is determined by the Department of Public Safety that improving the safety on our roads is contingent on an increased appropriation of tax funds for this campaign effort, then the Department of Public Safety can identify those needs and present them to the legislature at that time.”
Public Safety Grant for the Greater Houston Area
“The Department of Public Safety‘s core mission is to serve and protect citizens of Texas as the state‘s primary law enforcement agency. Over recent years, efforts have been made to help the agency concentrate on its core mission and to transfer grant-making activities to other state agencies. This appropriation, for which the Department did not request funding in its 2018-19 Legislative Appropriation Request, would return the Department to being a grant-making entity. This veto will not prevent Houston Crime Stoppers from being able to receive grant funding from the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division—or encumber Houston Crime Stoppers’ ability to provide awards to appropriate recipients.”
Air Quality Planning
“This program funds, among other items, bicycle use programs, carpooling awareness, environmental awareness campaigns, and locally enforceable pollution reduction programs in near non-attainment areas, which can be funded at the local government level. Resources in the Clean Air Account should be prioritized to directly address problems in our non-attainment areas of the state so that we are better positioned to combat the business-stifling regulations imposed on these areas by the Environmental Protection Agency.”
Low-Income Vehicle Repair Assistance, Retrofit, and Accelerated Vehicle Retired Program (LIRAP)
“The Low-Income Vehicle Repair Assistance Program (LIRAP) has done little to provide measurable improvements to air quality in our state‘s non-attainment areas. Additionally, previously approved appropriations for this program have yet to be fully spent by the local entities who administer this program. The LIRAP program is similar to the ill-conceived and dubious Cash for Clunkers program and should be abolished. A veto of this appropriation will not only allow local entities to spend previously approved allocations, but will also allow counties an opportunity to reassess if they should continue to charge an optional local fee for this program.”
Water Supply Enhancement
“This program primarily funds efforts to remove brush from private land. Texas landowners have a rich history of improving the value of their land through various self-funded measures. As a general concept, government should abstain as much as possible from inserting itself into private property matters unless a greater public need commands otherwise. For transition purposes, the first year of the program will be funded in the amount of $2.495 million. Any amount of funding for this program can be carried forward as unexpended balances to the second year.”
Study of Aquifers and Brackish Groundwater
“The Texas Water Development Board has already completed several studies on brackish groundwater in various regions of the state.”
Texas Lottery Commission – Retailer Bonus
"Lottery retailers already receive a commission based on the volume of tickets sold at that location. This bonus, which is in addition to the commission, is intended to be an incentive for retailers to sell lottery tickets. The bonus was created in 1993 to help jumpstart the rollout of the lottery, but the lottery is now well established in the state. I therefore object to and disapprove of one year of this appropriation."
Unexpended Balances: Legislative Budget Board
“Since the 1996–1997 biennium, direct appropriations to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) have skyrocketed by more than 700 percent compared to just 171 percent for the entire state. This growth has corresponded with greater government authority being delegated to unelected bureaucrats rather than being undertaken by elected officials directly accountable to the voters. To begin the process of restoring the LBB to its intended limited purpose, I therefore object to and disapprove of this appropriation.”
To read the complete budget veto statements in context, including the amounts and/or strategies impacted – click here.