CCR SB 1 – General Appropriations Act

Conference Committee Report (CCR) SB 1 represents a dramatic and fiscally irresponsible expansion of the Texas state budget that should be rejected by conservatives, with all funds spending reaching over $338 billion, and State funds spending reaching over $237 Billion. State fund appropriations increase by roughly 8% from the last biennium and a staggering 43% since 2022–23—far above the benchmark of population growth plus inflation.

Even with a historic $24 billion surplus, only $6.5 billion is allocated for new property tax relief, leaving most of the surplus to grow government instead of reducing the tax burden. Property taxes are up $13 billion, or 21.6%, over the same period, despite “record property tax relief” during that period.

The budget increases spending across nearly every category without enacting structural reforms or addressing inefficiencies. Education spending soars without delivering truly universal school choice or accountability, while billions are funneled into corporate welfare schemes like film subsidies, research institutes and energy handouts. This spending locks in new baselines, making future reductions more difficult and setting taxpayers up for long-term liabilities. CCR SB 1 reflects centralized economic planning over free-market principles and does little to eliminate burdensome school property taxes. The budget fails to align with conservative goals of limited government and fiscal discipline.