HJR 47 – New Grant Program

HJR 47 proposes creating a new government fund called the Texas STRONG Defense Fund, which would redirect a significant portion of oil and gas tax revenue that currently supports the state’s Rainy Day Fund. Instead of saving for future emergencies or applying surplus to tax relief, this plan sets up a pipeline of public money to various grants with vague criteria tied to oil and gas regions. While framed as helping energy-producing communities, the fund risks becoming another vehicle for pork-barrel spending and government expansion. It reduces the share going to the Economic Stabilization Fund at a time when fiscal prudence is critical, and it creates a new entitlement structure that will depend on oil revenues. The projected $708 million hit to General Revenue in just the first two years undermines other core priorities and limits the state’s ability to deliver broad-based tax relief. Instead of dedicating surplus funds to permanent tax cuts or debt reduction, this measure channels money into grant programs that lack strong taxpayer safeguards. Fiscal conservatives should oppose this attempt to grow government spending through a constitutional amendment, and support tax relief efforts instead.