Austin, Texas—Today, the Texas Senate & House gave final approval to the state budget for the next 2 years. This is a responsible, conservative, forward thinking budget that funds our future, while staying within our means. It includes historic property tax relief, an unprecedented investment in Texas public schools, maintains our commitment to border security, and will fund critical infrastructure projects for our growing state.

These landmark investments are only possible because of our history of conservative budgeting and strong, growing economy. I applaud my colleagues for funding Texas’ priorities and setting us on a path to future success, all while staying well below the state’s constitutional spending limit.

Conservative Budget

• Within all Constitutional Spending Limits
• $811 million under the ‘pay-as-you-go’ limit
• Well under population + inflation

Property Taxes

• $5 billion is appropriated to reduce the property tax rate in 2020, and adds 2.5% compression in 2021
• Increases the state’s share of public education, reducing the burden on local taxpayers

Public Safety

• Includes $800 for border security
• Increases human trafficking funds by $40 billion
• Allocates $100 million for school ‘hardening’

Public Education

• Reduces recapture by $3.6 billion
• Designates $2 billion to compensate Texas teachers, librarians, nurses & counselors.
• Includes $2.4 billion to fund enrollment growth

Harvey Relief and Infrastructure (funded through SB 500, supplemental budget)

• $3.5 billion to help the state recover and rebuild from Hurricane Harvey, and better prepare the entire state for future storms.
• $800 million to help Harvey-impacted school districts
• Provides the local match dollars to draw down roughly $6.3 billion in federal relief.

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