AUSTIN, Texas – Gov. Rick Perry today proposed four key budget reforms designed to promote fiscal responsibility.
Michael Quinn Sullivan, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, praised the proposals, saying they shine more sunlight on the state’s finances.
“These proposals set the tone for good budget policy and sound government. They promote higher levels of accountability and transparency,†said Sullivan. “Texas’ hard-working families deserve honest bookkeeping from the state legislature. Since we foot the bill, taxpayers should be allowed to review all the expenses to know our money is being spent wisely.â€
Sullivan said Gov. Perry and Comptroller Susan Combs are “leading by example†by making their own official office expenditures readily available online.
He said that strengthening the state’s spending limit remains TFR’s top priority.
“So far, the existing limit has ironically only limited tax relief. While a good try in 1978, lawmakers should work quickly to make the spending limit more meaningful. The new limit should also fix glaring errors, such as counting tax relief as spending.â€
While the best spending limit is restricting government growth to population and inflation, Sullivan said measuring the change in Gross State Product would also provide a more sensible alternative to current law.
Gov. Perry’s reforms include:
• Impose a stronger spending limit on state government.
• Truth in spending initiative to end accounting gimmicks, and a requirement that dedicated funds be used as intended, or refunded to taxpayers.
• Requiring detailed budget line-items.
• Requiring all agencies to publish expenditures in a clear and consistent format online.
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