Texas Growth in Appropriations Limitations Amendment (2015)
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| This measure was not put on an election ballot |
The Texas Growth in Appropriations Limitations Amendment was not on the November 3, 2015 ballot in Texas as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. The measure, upon voter approval, would have provided that the appropriations growth rate, from budget to budget, shall not exceed a rate equal to the estimated increases or decreases in the state’s population and inflation or deflation. An increase in appropriations due to revenue received from the federal government would not have been limited.[1]
As of 2015, the state government's growth in appropriations is governed by "the estimated rate of growth of the state's economy."[1]
Additionally, the measure would have authorized the comptroller to transfer one-third of any unencumbered positive balance general revenue into the state’s economic stabilization fund. As of 2015, the comptroller is authorized to transfer one-half.[1]
Out of the revenue left over after the comptroller’s transfer, some would have been rebated to the state’s franchise tax payers.[1]
The measure was introduced into the Texas Legislature by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-67) as House Joint Resolution 45.[2]
Text of measure
Ballot title
The proposed ballot title was:[1]
| “ | The constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on the rate of growth in appropriations and the use of unencumbered surplus state revenues to provide for a rebate of state franchise taxes, to reduce public school district property taxes, and to fund the state’s rainy day fund.[3] | ” |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Texas Constitution
The proposed constitutional amendment was filed by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-67) as House Joint Resolution 45 on November 14, 2014.[2] A two-thirds vote in both chambers of the Texas State Legislature was required to refer this amendment to the ballot. Texas is one of 16 states that require a two-thirds supermajority vote in both chambers.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Texas Legislature, "HJR No. 45," accessed November 17, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Texas Legislature, "HJR No. 45 History," accessed November 17, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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