The Weekly Insight: January 15

Texas Insight Staff

January 15, 2019

Texas Insight’s Recent Reports

Comptroller of Public Accounts: Revenue vs Shortfall. According to the Comptroller’s “cautiously optimistic” revenue estimate, the 86th Legislature will have an estimated $119.12 billion available for general-purpose spending in the 2020-21 biennium, 8.1 percent more than the corresponding amount estimated for 2018-19. This figure represents the 2018-19 ending balance of $4.18 billion, plus 2020-21 tax revenue of $107.32 billion and 2020-21 non-tax receipts of $14.16 billion, less an estimated reserve of $6.34 billion from oil and natural gas taxes for future transfer to the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) and the State Highway Fund (SHF), and less an estimated reserve of $211 million for transfer to the Texas Tomorrow Fund. Read here to find out what this means for the supplemental needs left unfunded by the 85^th Texas Legislature.

Texas Early Childhood Intervention. The Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee met to receive their customary update on the children referred and served. The staff reported that they have exceeded the measures set by the Legislature. As such, there is a strain on the service providers. An exceptional item has been requested by HHSC in the amount of $71 million. Some of the indicators in the performance report to be submitted to the federal government have either slipped or have not met the goals established. Click here to read Texas Insight’s coverage of the meeting.

Constitutional Spending Limit for 2020-2021. At a meeting of the Legislative Budget Board on January 11, 2019, the Board approved the items of information required to set the Article VIII constitutional limit on the growth of appropriations from state tax revenue not dedicated by the Texas Constitution. Click here to read Texas Insight’s coverage.

Status of the Affordable Care Act in Texas. This brief provides a quick summary of the ACA and explores what is known currently about how Texas leadership is envisioning replacing and/or modifying the Act. Because no specific plan for healthcare coverage targeting ACA populations (working age low-income adults and individuals and families without access to public or private health insurance) has been put forward other than the bill recently filed by Rep. Garnet Coleman, which codifies the ACA into Texas law and expands Medicaid per the option within the Act, this exploration hinges on language in public statements by Texas officials and stakeholders in response to the recent ruling and looks back at recent federal proposals to replace the ACA. Further, this brief will consider the interim charge Lt. Governor Patrick asked Senators serving on the Business and Commerce Committee to consider which examines 1332 waivers and inter-state health insurance purchases as potential replacements and/or modifications to the ACA in Texas at the close of the 85th session. Follow this link to read the rest.