EDITORIAL: Welcome news — Newfound revenue presents lawmakers late opportunity to make a difference in schools
This week’s revised revenue estimate coming out of the state comptroller’s office was welcome news.
On Tuesday, Texas State Comptroller Susan Combs said an additional $1.2 billion should be available for lawmakers who are struggling to make fiscal ends meet before the session ends May 30.
This good news for Texas aligns with other states as well, from California to Pennsylvania, suggesting that a national economic recovery is beginning to gain some traction.
But with this bit of good news comes the continued warning that lawmakers must be mindful that daunting fiscal challenges remain — along with the prospect of layoffs and cutbacks in state services.
While an extra billion dollars would be welcome anywhere, we must remember that Texas lawmakers still face a projected revenue shortfall of up to $27 billion.
As the Trib advocated when the Legislative session began 130 days ago, across-the-board cuts should be avoided in favor of maintaining priorities.
The same should hold true for the almost-enviable task of deciding how to divvy up this newfound $1.2 billion.
We must remember certain priorities regarding the responsible disbursement of this money.
And education should be key among those priorities.
Lawmakers should do whatever they can to fulfill their funding obligations to our schools and mitigate the prospect of widespread teacher layoffs.
Only 10 days remain for the House, Senate and governor to agree on a spending plan.
Still, decisions should not be made in haste, especially those involving our children.
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