The Texas Senate on April 14 passed its version of the 2016-2017 state budget. Because the House- and Senate-approved budgets are $1.6 billion apart, five Senate members and five House members will be appointed to a conference committee to resolve differences.
The Senate’s version of the budget totals $211 billion in state and federal funds to pay for state services over the next two fiscal years. Senate Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, who spearheaded the writing of the legislation, said the budget is one that “will keep our state strong, prosperous and compassionate.”
Nelson pointed out that transportation funding under CSHB 1 would increase by almost $5 billion over the current allotment. “That includes $2.4 billion in oil and gas tax revenues approved by voters last November and $1.3 billion from ending diversions of transportation funds to other parts of the budget. The rest of the additional money is contingent on passage of a measure that would authorize a one-time shift of motor vehicle sales tax funds to the Texas Department of Transportation.”
