Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HJR144

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations and the use of surplus state revenue to provide for property tax relief and public school teacher compensation.

Impact

The passage of HJR144 is expected to have significant implications for state financial management, particularly in education funding and taxation. By earmarking surplus revenue for specific uses, it aims to provide direct support to public school personnel, which may address teacher compensation issues and, consequently, retain talent in schools. Additionally, the proposed property tax relief could alleviate financial pressures on homeowners and ensure that essential public services remain adequately funded.

Summary

HJR144 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the rate of growth of appropriations and allocate surplus state revenue for property tax relief and compensation for public school teachers, counselors, and librarians. The resolution outlines that, at the end of each biennium, the comptroller is to determine the unencumbered positive balance of general revenues and designate a portion for these purposes. Specifically, it stipulates that 25% of the determined amount is to be exclusively used for public school personnel compensation, while the remainder is to reduce maintenance and operations ad valorem tax rates for school districts.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding HJR144 may focus on concerns regarding the potential for decreased flexibility in budget appropriations due to the earmarking of surplus funds. Critics may argue that the constitutional amendment could limit the state's ability to respond to varied funding needs or economic downturns. Support for the bill stems from a desire to improve teacher salaries and address tax burdens but raises questions about its long-term sustainability and the impact on other areas of state funding.

Companion Bills

TX SJR69

Same As Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations and the use of surplus state revenue to provide for property tax relief and public school teacher compensation.

TX HB4603

Enabled by Relating to the allocation and deposit of certain surplus state revenue to the property tax relief fund for use in reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes and providing compensation for teachers, counselors, and librarians employed in public schools.

Previously Filed As

TX HJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment excepting certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment excepting certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX SJR4

Proposing a constitutional amendment excepting certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HJR27

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of and use of money in the Grow Texas fund and allocating certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the state school safety fund to provide ongoing financial support for projects that ensure the safety of public schools in this state and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HJR111

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas (Texas STRONG) defense fund, dedicating the money in that fund to benefit areas of the state significantly affected by oil and gas production, and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, the state highway fund, the oil and gas regulation and cleanup account, the Texas emissions reduction plan fund, and the property tax relief fund.

TX SB1

Relating to providing property tax relief through the public school finance system, exemptions, and limitations on taxes and providing franchise tax relief.

TX SB26

Relating to providing property tax relief through the public school finance system, exemptions, and limitations on taxes and providing franchise tax relief.

TX HJR14

Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads, to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts, to establish the property tax relief to rental households fund and authorize the legislature to provide payments to rental households from that fund based on a proportion of rent paid, and to except certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief and property tax relief payments to rental households from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HJR164

Proposing a constitutional amendment excepting certain appropriations to pay for tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

Similar Bills

TX SB9

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HB936

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HB1025

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HB2304

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HB41

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX SB9

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations and appropriations of constitutionally dedicated revenue.

TX HB127

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX SB9

Relating to limitations on the rate of growth of appropriations for certain categories of spending.