Columns & Opinions

The Texas Legislature begins its work creating a state budget for the next two years with slightly less revenue available than it had during the previous biennium. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar projects lawmakers will have $194.6 billion available during the 2026-27 budget cycle, down 1.1%. Hegar said the decrease is because the state is starting with a beginning balance that is nearly $16 billion less compared to 2024-25.

Many men in history are brought high by their ambitions, only to fall from their vices. Louis Wigfall, an attorney, legislator, and later U. S. Senator from Texas, had many advantages in his life. However, his short fuse and alcoholism eventually wrecked his own life and brought disaster for Texas during the Civil War.

The Texas Senate’s chief budget writer said state agencies and higher education institutions have requested nearly $25 billion in funding as the legislative session gets underway. State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, told The Dallas Morning News that the requests for new money reflect the growing functions and purposes of state agencies that serve the public.