$1.6 billion surplus projected for Texas

$1.6 billion surplus projected for Texas

AUSTIN — After a long run of tough times brought on by a sour economy, Texas lawmakers got some good news Monday as the state’s chief fiscal officer projected a $1.6 billion surplus that could provide a much-needed financial cushion for the next session of the Legislature.

The windfall available for the fiscal biennium that started Sept. 1 was generated by better-than-expected state revenue. It could enable lawmakers to partly offset a $4.8 billion shortfall in Medicaid and soften some other cuts enacted during the 2011 Legislature, analysts said.

The new projections by Comptroller Susan Combs will make things easier for budget-writers at the outset of the next legislative session in 2013, although lawmakers will still face a host of financial challenges.

Combs projected available revenue of $82.7 billion by the time the biennium ends on Aug. 31, 2013, which would give the state a $1.6 billion balance over the $81.1 billion in the two-year budget approved by this year’s Legislature.

Lawmakers entered the 2011 session facing one of the biggest shortfalls in years.

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$1.6 billion surplus projected for Texas

Texas is, without a doubt, THE best place to live in the United States.

Some detractors hate Texas just because, no reason other than *it’s Texas, and I hate it*, and I do NOT exaggerate.

There are a lot of people, thought to be ‘Conservative’ people, that tend to overlook the fact that Rick Perry is the Governor of Texas. They talk about how great the Texas economy is, they talk about the *Texas Success Story*, and in the next breath denigrate Rick Perry and talk about what a BAD leader he must be because he really is a crappy debater.

So, answer me this; do you want someone to be President of the United States because they can DEBATE well or do you want someone that’s a proven and successful leader?

I can’t understand the attitude some have regarding Rick Perry.

Has Perry made mistakes? Damned right he has, and I have taken him to task here on the blog, and in communication with him and his staff over them any time he made what I considered to be a mistake, but you see, Rick Perry KNOWS that he makes mistakes, and he admits when he does make mistakes. He doesn’t try to hide them or blame them on someone else, or a previous administration.

Through October, she (Susan Combs) said, Texas has recovered 94 percent of the jobs lost during the recession. Nationwide, just 27 percent of the jobs lost in the recession have been recovered, she said.

OK, Rick Perry didn’t do it *all by himself*, but he has been instrumental in the growth and success of Texas. American Conservatives may want to rethink their positions on Newt, Mittens and their claims of conservatism, and take a REAL look at Rick Perry.

Rick Perry isn’t perfect, there is NO perfect man or candidate, but Rick Perry is the best we have at this time. I will support Rick Perry in his run for the White House, I hope you will too!