A report on Stateline.org predicts a nationwide belt-tightening among state lawmakers. A major warning sign is the depleting rainy day funds of most states, but taking Texas out of the equation provides a clearer picture of how bad things are for the rest of the country.
"States
expect to have $48 billion or 7 percent of expenditures in their
reserves in fiscal 2009, down from nearly $70 billion two years ago...However,
the report notes that the overall balance levels were skewed high
because resource-rich Texas and Alaska increased their reserves by
nearly 200 percent over the last two years. If those two states aren’t
included, then the states’ rainy day fund total drops to only $27
billion in fiscal 2009, only 4.1 percent of expenditures and below the
5 percent mark that most bond rating agencies recommend that states
hold in reserves."
Despite how good Texas looks in comparison, with every passing week, lawmakers are sounding less ambitious about the next legislative session.
In a story today by S-T writer Matt Frazier, school administrators are hoping the legislature will address the disparity in per-student spending among school districts but the forecast isn't looking good.
"As a former teacher, I believe that every penny towards education is a wise investment," state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, said. "However, I am cautioning everyone that it is going to be a very tough budget session."
-Aman Batheja
Despite how good Texas looks in comparison, with every passing week, lawmakers are sounding less ambitious about the next legislative session.
In a story today by S-T writer Matt Frazier, school administrators are hoping the legislature will address the disparity in per-student spending among school districts but the forecast isn't looking good.
"As a former teacher, I believe that every penny towards education is a wise investment," state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, said. "However, I am cautioning everyone that it is going to be a very tough budget session."
-Aman Batheja
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