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Dan Patrick

Lieutenant Governor of Texas


President of the Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:


Thursday, September 19, 2019 512-463-0715

Joint Statement on LBB Fiscal Update


Year-End Numbers Show State Leaders are Keeping Commitment to Keep Budget Growth Below Population
Times Inflation

AUSTIN - Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen issued statements
today following the release of the Legislative Budget Board’s (LBB) Fiscal Year-End Update which shows
the rate of state budget growth remains below population times inflation.

When Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick were first elected in 2014, they inherited a $203 billion budget and
in 2016-17, they held state spending to an average annual increase of 2.8% when adjusted for property
tax relief. In 2018-19, spending increased by 3% annually when adjusted for property tax relief and
disaster spending. As is clear from this update, again, after adjusting for property tax relief and disaster
spending, the budget just passed for 2020-21, increased by an average of 1.4% per year – well below the
goal of population times inflation.

“Texans entrust their elected officials to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and to instill financial
discipline into state budgets. This report shows our commitment to that charge. Since I took office, Texas
spending, when adjusted for Hurricane Harvey relief and property tax reduction, has been constrained to
well below population times inflation. This adherence to fiscal conservatism has not only ensured a
healthy rainy day fund, but it has also contributed to Texas’ explosive economic growth and record low
unemployment. As Governor, I will continue to preside over budgets that put Texas taxpayers first.”
-Gov. Greg Abbott

“In this most recent session, we reduced property tax growth at the local level, virtually eliminated any
chance that the state will ever enact an income tax, reduced pension debt and transformed our school
finance system so that it is now focused on the needs of the child rather than the demands of the district.
This prudent conservative approach to the fiscal management of our state is why the Texas economy is
one of the strongest in the world, business is thriving and we lead the nation in job creation.”
-Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

"Texas has long been the nation's leader for job growth and economic prosperity, and that success is
bolstered by our state's fiscally responsible approach to keeping taxes low, minimizing regulations, and
balancing our state budget. The 86th Legislature renewed its commitment to that model this session by
passing a budget that keeps the rate of budget growth below population plus inflation. Keeping
government spending under control and slowing the rising burden of taxes are two surefire ways to
secure our economic future and attract continued investment for years to come."
-House Speaker Dennis Bonnen

Prior to LBB’s Fiscal Year-End Update, some criticized Texas leaders for budget increases that included
spending directed at Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery spending which were mostly federal funds.
State budgets include a total of $19.2 billion for Hurricane Harvey recovery. The same critics also charged
that the $8.6 billion that has been provided in tax relief since Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick have been
in office – including the $5 billion in the recent session which included Speaker Bonnen’s leadership --
should be counted as a budget increase. Neither disaster relief spending nor providing tax relief to
Texans increases the rate of government growth. Texas leaders are united in their commitment to a lean,
low-growth state budget to keep the Texas economy strong.

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