State Budget Reduces Overall Spending by 16.6 Percent

Based on the Legislative Budget Board’s (LBB) recommendations, the proposed state budget for the upcoming 2012-2013 biennium cuts spending by 16.6 percent and reduces the number of state employees by 9,610 — including vacancies and actual held positions. Included in the LBB’s recommendations is the overall baseline budget for the next two years: $156.4 billion (including federal and state funds). This figure is $31.1 billion less than was budgeted for the current 2010-11 biennium. State funding numbers for the upcoming biennium total $79.3 billion, which reflects a $9.2 billion or 10.4 percent decrease compared to the 2010-2011 budget.

In addition, the LBB’s recommendation shows reductions in each article of the proposed budget. Health and Human Services will be hit the hardest with a 25 percent decrease, while public education—which represents the bulk of state spending—will decrease by 13 percent. The LBB recommends funding for the state prison system decrease by 12.7 percent, which would result in the elimination of 1,562 correctional officer positions. Other preliminary reductions include:

• Texas Historical Commission – close to 80 percent of its budget could be eliminated.
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice – could close one state unit.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife – could reduce local grants by 96.9 percent.
• Office of the Governor – could reduce CJD grants by 55.8 percent.
• Grants for local probation departments – could be reduced by 11.3 percent.
• Automotive Theft Prevention Authority – could be eliminated.
• County disbursement for road maintenance – could be eliminated.

Additional update dates on the proposed budget will be provided.

For more information, contact Paul Emerson, TAC state financial analyst, at (800) 456-5974.