Texas GOP lawmakersโ border and education wishlist would expand state budget by $2.7 billion โ and counting
If bills now being considered pass, lawmakers will be left with $3.3 billion to take care of unforeseen costs over the next two years. Some experts worry that Texas canโt sustain its massive spending on the border and public education.
Harris County Commissioners unanimously approve 2024 budget; includes funding for flood control, hospitals
Harris County Commissioners Court passed the FY24 budget, which includes $2.4 billion for the Countyโs general fund, $128 million for the Harris County Flood Control District, and $888 million for the Harris County Hospital District.
With no new funding from the state, Texas schools are breaking the bank to pay for teacher raises
Lawmakers this year didnโt approve extra money to help schools pay for raises despite having an unprecedented $32 billion surplus โ even after Gov. Greg Abbott commissioned a task force last year to improve teacher pay and retention.
Senate budget panel approves $308 billion spending plan with new money for teachers, mental health, juvenile justice
The proposal for the 2024-25 budget cycle includes $142.1 billion in general revenue spending โ about $5 billion higher than the proposal approved last week by the Texas House โ at a time when lawmakers have a historic $32.7 billion surplus at their disposal this session.
House panel advances new Texas budget with property tax cuts, teacher pay raises
The proposal recommends spending billions on programs including property tax cuts, teacher pay raises, mental health services and border security. It leaves out requests for pay raises for retired state employees and funding for rent relief and childcare programs.
Texas higher ed leaders optimistic about funding, faculty uneasy about culture wars as new session starts
Community colleges want a funding overhaul this legislative session, and four-year universities are hoping for a boost in research funds. Meanwhile, faculty are bracing for a potential threat to tenure and limits to conversations about race.
Texas universities propose two-year tuition freeze in exchange for nearly $1 billion in additional state funding
The leaders of the stateโs six biggest university systems are seeking the money to fund instruction, university operations and employee health insurance and to cover a free tuition program for veterans and their children.
Texas lawmakers will have $188.2 billion available for the next budget after record-breaking revenue growth
Itโs far more money than legislators have ever had at their disposal, with an increase in available funds that dwarfs any previous jumps between cycles. Itโs also more money than lawmakers can constitutionally spend.
Texas lawmakers have a $27 billion surplus, but a spending cap complicates their goal of lowering property taxes
Texas homeowners have some of the highest property tax bills in the nation, a byproduct of the stateโs reliance on such taxes to help pay for public schools and the stateโs lack of an income tax.
Jack Cagle, Tom Ramsey skip commissioners court for 3rd time as budget impasse continues
The impasse over the Harris County budget continued Tuesday with Republican commissioners skipping a meeting for a third time in a row, blocking the Democratic majority commissioners court from adopting a new proposed tax rate.
Judge Lina Hidalgo asking county attorneyโs office to consider authority to require commissioners to attend court meeting
In an attempt to pass a budget for Harris County, Judge Lina Hidalgo said she is considering โany and all actionโ that would bring commissioners into Commissioners Court to allow a vote that she said would fund the budget.
As inflation skyrockets, local Texas governments ponder tax rate increases as they balance budgets
Local governments in Texas have spent the summer preparing their budgets for next year, wrestling with inflation and a law that prohibits them from raising property tax revenues beyond 3.5% without voter approval.
Texas House speaker pitches spending more than $100 million for mental health, school safety programs
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had asked House leaders to support his push for arming school police officers with bulletproof shields after the Uvalde shooting. House Speaker Dade Phelan is also asking for more money for mental health and school safety programs.
The Salvation Armyโs Chic Boutique is back: Hereโs how to shop the closets of Houstonโs best dressed
Shop, save, and help others in need. Here's a sign THAT life is getting back to normal: The Salvation Army's Chic Boutique is back this week! You can score designer duds at major discounts at this pop-up charity sale. Volunteers collect and curate the best donations all year.
Meet your financial goals by starting with these 4 steps
These four baby steps will help you begin to get a handle on your finances for the new year. You can get a free credit report every week through April here. Step 2: Audit your subscriptionsFrom streaming services to clothing, look for recurring monthly fees to your bank account or credit card. Step 3: Check the interest rates on your credit cards and accountsCan you get a lower interest rate or a no-interest balance transfer for your credit card debt? After it expires, credit card companies usually jack up your interest rate.
HISD board considering $41 million budget amendment
HOUSTON โ The Houston Independent School District board will consider approving a $41 million budget amendment on Thursday afternoon. District officials said an additional $17 million for special education has also been under consideration since August. Funding from local agenciesThe board of trustees is scheduled to vote on accepting a total of $2.3 million. Providing out-of-school activities for Chavez High School students such as academic enrichment, fitness, counseling programs, art, music, technology and character education programs. Additional funds will also be considered for construction on Riceville School Road for Lamar High School and $3.1 million for a new sports field and auditorium upgrades at Booker T. Washington High School, according to a press release.
Up to 3,000 city of Houston employees could be furloughed under proposed budget
HOUSTON โ There is a $169 million budget gap in the city of Houstonโs budget for the next fiscal year, according to the numbers Mayor Sylvester Turner released on Tuesday. The city is reeling from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and local leaders are not sugar-coating it. City leaders said they need to make drastic cuts, which means thousands of city employees are facing the possibility that they could be furloughed. Turner said he will try to secure more funding to save those jobs by using federal money. โIโve asked Chief Pena with the fire department and Chief Acevedo and others to take a look at where their employees were used specifically for COVID purposes.
Severance Pay 101: 3 steps to making sure you use the money wisely
The money pay is supposed to help you out until you can get another job. "โThis is where we can cut.โ Do that as part of a severance package. โOnce you leave the company, youโre going to have an expiration date on those options,โ Rosso said. Fund your healthcare savings accountLastly, if you havenโt funded your healthcare savings account, consider using some of your severance pay to do that. He has more ideas to consider if you are risk of getting a severance package here.
6 places to get Rodeo-ready on a budget๐ค
Go Texan Day is this Friday, and RodeoHouston starts on Feb. 28. Itโs time to dig through your closet or go shopping. You want buckles, boots, and bling, but you donโt want to spend big bucks. Consumer expert Amy Davis is sharing her go-to retailers to get Rodeo-ready on a budget.