The head of a a leading firm that assists companies in obtaining government contracts writes in an Austin Business Journal piece entitled “Gov’t spending isn’t slowing” that, while families are tightening their belts, “many regions of the state will see major spending increases from governmental entities” and that most school districts “are fairly comfortable.”
Mary Scott Nabers, President & CEO of Strategic Partnerhips, Inc., goes on to add that “a very large percentage of schools have newly approved bond money to spend” and that the $10.7 billion surplus “should ensure that state agencies will not see budget cuts over the next couple years.”
Nabers concludes “government contractors will find an abundance of opportunities.”
Nabers’ assessment is worth noting given that just a week ago superintendents in Austin for a conference with the head of the Texas Education Agency almost universally complained that their districts are broke.
Policymakers must remember the primary reason Texas has a surplus while other states are in the red is that we have fostered a strong business climate through – at least relative to other states – lower taxes, government spending restraint, and less regulation.
Nabers’ article is at https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2008/07/28/smallb2.html?b=1217217600%5E1674840.
