November 30, 2017      5:04 PM

Tightening budget picture becomes clearer heading toward 2019 session

Among huge challenges: The Senate’s deferral of about $1.6 billion in sales tax collections for road construction, which freed up more spending this session but also means lawmakers will go into next session with a $6.6 billion obligation to TxDOT

The Comptroller’s office has painted a fairly tight budget picture going into next session, with both anticipated and impending obligations constraining the state’s available revenue.

“We’re probably looking at a budget cycle that’s similar to the one we just went through,” said chief revenue estimator Tom Currah. “And also keep in mind, there will be some additional costs we will have to cover.”

By Kimberly Reeves

Copyright November 30, 2017, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved