Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SJR69

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 proposed amendment will have significant implications for state budgeting and financial planning. It establishes a framework for using unencumbered positive balances of general revenues at the end of each fiscal biennium, stipulating that half of these funds will be utilized in accordance with the provisions outlined in SJR69. This approach to budgeting is aimed at ensuring more stable and predictable financial support for public education while also seeking to ease tax pressures on residents. The resolution specifies that 25% of these revenues should be allocated strictly for public school employee compensation, indicating a targeted effort to enhance teacher salaries in Texas.

Summary

Senate Joint Resolution 69 (SJR69) proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution concerning the limitations on the growth rate of appropriations and the allocation of surplus state revenue. The resolution mandates that a specified portion of surplus revenue be directly used to alleviate property taxes for homeowners and to enhance the compensation for public school teachers, counselors, and librarians. This proposal aims to direct additional financial resources towards public education and provide relief to homeowners experiencing rising property tax burdens.

Contention

Debate around SJR69 centers on the effectiveness of tying surplus revenue to specific expenditure needs, particularly regarding property tax relief and educational compensation. Proponents argue that this focused approach could lead to significant improvements in teacher retention and recruitment while alleviating some of the financial burdens on families. However, critics of the amendment may express concerns regarding its potential rigidity in state budgeting and the implications this could have in economic downturns when surplus revenues may not be available. Ensuring flexibility in appropriation can be crucial for responsive governance, particularly in times of fiscal challenges.

Companion Bills

TX HJR144

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.

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 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 HB41

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 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 SB9

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