The Great Texas Budget Battle: Your Money, Their Priorities

Breaking down the GOP’s upcoming fight for public dollars.

Earlier this week, we discussed the Texas Legislature’s proposed $6.5 billion toward the border, even though Trump has allegedly “fixed the border.” Over the next few weeks, the Senate Committee on Finance will hold daily hearings to discuss certain budget aspects. Let’s examine each element when the hearings are and what you can do to participate.

A few of the Republican priorities in the budget, as outlined by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows, included:

• Tax buydowns.

• A $4.9 billion to increase teacher pay.

• $1 billion for school choice.

• And $6.5 billion for the border.

While my initial reaction was outrage over the proposed border funds, many other groups that follow the Legislature and even some elected Democrats were immediately outraged over the proposed voucher scheme funding. Both are terrible. The worst part is that this money comes from us. Republicans want to funnel our tax dollars into the pockets of the wealthy with voucher schemes and fill the pockets of Greg Abbott’s donors with special contracts in “border operations.”

It’s the people’s money that the GOP wants to use to enrich their friends while the people of Texas struggle with access to healthcare, rising costs of living, and crumbling infrastructure.

The state budget is arguably the most important legislation the Texas Legislature passes during its biennial session.

It’s not just a numbers game. It’s a statement of values. The budget determines where our taxpayer dollars go and what priorities the state will focus on for the next two years. Healthcare, public education, infrastructure, social services, and public safety—everything that affects Texans’ daily lives starts here. Once the money is allocated, it’s nearly impossible to claw it back or redirect it to something else.

We should all pay attention, especially during the Senate Finance Committee’s hearings. Republican lawmakers want you to believe that their budget choices are inevitable, that there’s no alternative to pouring billions into the border or subsidizing private schools with public funds. But the truth is, budgets are about choices. The choices that reflect what the Legislature values and, often, who they serve. Every dollar spent on a political pet project is a dollar not spent on things Texans actually need, like fully funding public schools, expanding Medicaid, or fixing the state’s failing power grid.

I plan on covering the budget hearings this year more extensively than in previous years because y’all need to see how bad it is. Here are a few YouTube clips from the last session (2023):

• Texas Water Is Poison - Senate Testimony From TX Commission On Environmental Quality (During a Budget Hearing)

• $1 Billion Conversations And $125 Million Bus Rides (How much money did Abbott spend bussing migrants out of state?)

It’s shocking how bad of a shape the Texas government is in. During the last session, I watched agency after agency appear before the Senate Finance Committee, talk about how underfunded they are, how they can’t keep staff because of their low wages, how they’re using green screen computers, and working in the basements of rundown old buildings.

So, when you wonder why DPS is frequently shut down because of their computer systems, why children in CPS custody are sleeping in offices, or why the water in Texas is poison, know that it all starts with the state budget.

How does it work?

The Legislative Budget Board drafts a proposed state budget for each biennium, the foundation for budget discussions in the House and Senate. The budget then undergoes multiple committee hearings, where lawmakers debate priorities, hear testimony from state agencies and the public, and negotiate allocations. 

Once both chambers approve their budget versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences, creating the final version for the Legislature to vote on before sending it to the governor for approval.

This process is lengthy and can be boring, but it’s crucial because every decision made along the way has real-world consequences for Texans. The next few weeks will shape not just the budget numbers but the direction of our state for years to come. If there’s ever a time to pay attention and speak out, it’s now.

During each hearing, the committee will have a long list of agencies, each testifying about the money and resources they need and how that fits with what the state is willing to fund.

Upcoming hearings in the Senate Committee on Finance regarding the state budget:

Monday 1/27, 10 am: The committee will discuss Article IV, The Judiciary. That includes the Texas Supreme Court, various appeal courts, the state law library, and other related entities.

Tuesday 1/28, 9 am: The committee will discuss Article I, General Government, which includes the office of the Attorney General. They will also discuss Article V, Public Safety and Criminal Justice, which should include border funding.

Wednesday 1/29, 9 am: The committee will discuss Article I, General Government (yes, again). This will include the Comptroller’s Office, the Veterans Commission, the Employees Retirement System, and various other departments.

Thursday 1/30, 9 am: The committee will continue to discuss Article I, General Government. This will include the Secretary of State’s office, the Office of the Governor, and several other departments.

Friday 1/31, 9 am: The committee has scheduled to meet only if necessary for any pending business. (Like if an agency had to reschedule during the week.)

Monday 2/3, 10 am: The committee will continue to discuss Article II, Health and Human Services. This includes the Department of State Health Services and the Department of Family and Protective Services, among others. (This hearing will only allow invited testimony and no public comments.)

Tuesday 2/4, 9 am: The committee will continue to discuss Article II, Health and Human Services. This hearing continues the hearing on 2/3 and will be open to public testimony.

Wednesday 2/5, 9 am: The committee will continue to discuss Article III, Higher Education. This hearing will begin the discussions on some of the university systems and funding, but not all of them. Click on the date (hyperlinked) to see which ones.

Thursday 2/6, 9 am: The committee will continue to discuss Article III, Higher Education. This will be a continuation of 2/5’s meeting. Click on the date to determine which university systems they cover on 2/6.

Friday 2/7, 9 am: The committee has scheduled to meet only if necessary for any pending business.

Monday 2/10, 10 am: The committee will discuss Article III, Public Education. In this hearing, the committee will discuss school funding, teacher pay raises, and the funding for the voucher scheme.

Tuesday 2/11, 9 am: The committee will discuss Article VI, Natural Resources. This hearing will focus on the General Land Office, the Department of Agriculture, and the Railroad Commission, among other departments.

Wednesday 2/12, 9 am: The committee will discuss Article VII, Business and Economic Development. This includes the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Workforce Commission, and other entities.

Thursday 2/13, 9 am: The committee will discuss Article VIII, Regulatory. This will include the Public Utilities Commission, the Medical Board, and various other departments.

Friday 2/14, 9 am: The committee has scheduled to meet only if necessary for any pending business.

Texas is a big state with a big budget, so this process takes so long.

The House should have its committee assignments by next week, which means its House committee hearings, which include their own version of the budget, will soon be scheduled. So, pretty soon, there will be a lot going on. I’ll be watching all of it and keeping you updated.

Remember:

• Call your representative to share your opinion on any bills or budget items. Your House Representatives and Senators love to hear from you, so call them often. Don’t know who your reps are? Find out here.

• The government works for you, and all their bills must have public hearings. If you’re in Austin or can travel there, consider attending the committee hearings to give your opinions on bills (and budget).

In the coming weeks, the Texas Legislature will make decisions that will impact all of us, whether it’s how much funding our schools receive, how accessible healthcare becomes, or whether public dollars are spent on improving our communities or lining the pockets of special interests.

Staying informed and engaged is the most powerful thing you can do.

Your voice matters, whether you call your representatives, submit public comments, or share updates with others. The Republicans want you to feel powerless and disengaged, but don’t let them off the hook.

I’ll continue to monitor and break down the hearings so you know what’s happening at the Capitol and how you can make your voice heard. Together, we can hold the people in power accountable and fight for a budget that works for all Texans. Stay tuned, stay vocal, and let’s keep the pressure on.

• January 28: Senate Finance Committee - Article V (Border security funding)

• January 31: Left In Texas Podcast - Representative Christina Morales

• February 2: Senate Finance Committee - Article III (Education and voucher scheme funding)

• March 14: The last day Legislators can file bills.

• June 2: The 89th Legislative Session ends.

• Click here to find out what Legislative districts you’re in.

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