AUSTIN, Texas – State lawmakers are preparing to learn the size of Texas’ budget gap Monday when the state comptroller reveals her official revenue estimate.
In an interview Friday, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst told 11 News that predictions the state would have a $15 billion to $28 billion shortfall were exaggerated. He said those estimates included assumptions that the state would increase funding for certain programs like it had done in the past.
Still, Dewhurst said it would be a challenging session, which begins Tuesday.
"I think we’re going to need to dip into the Rainy Day fund," he said. "I think it’s going to be raining a lot during 2011."
Dewhurst said Friday that he expected lawmakers to use all but $3 billion of the state’s $9 billion Rainy Day fund to help balance the budget. The leftover money would grow to about $5 billion for use in the 2013 session, he said.
Most political analysts agree that colleges and universities should prepare for the worst this session. Dewhurst said institutions of higher education would need to "tighten their belts," but wouldn’t talk about specific cuts.
Dewhurst seemed more optimistic when asked about local school districts.
"My goal—I’m not sure if I’ll get there—but my goal is to be close to or more than we’re spending on public education right now," he said.
There are a slew of other issues on the table, including bills on voter identification, border security and casino gambling.
Perhaps one of the most controversial is the redistricting battle, which prompted Democrats to walk out of the session the last time it came up in 2003.
This year, the Republican supermajority makes the possibility of another walkout highly unlikely.
"Texas is in a pretty unique position because we will gain four new Congressional seats," said State Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston. "So drawing those lines—especially since (Democrats) are not the ones holding the pen—that’s going to be difficult."
"I believe we’re the most important part of the state," State Rep. Ken Legler, R-Pasadena. "We have the most jobs. We create most of the wealth and I think we should get most of the representation down here."
Lawmakers also face tough decisions on everything from border security to casino gambling, leaving some to wonder whether 140 days will be enough.
"There’s no way, no way at all they can do it without at least one, possibly two and maybe even three special sessions," said Evan Smith, the editor-in-chief of The Texas Tribune.
Given the tense political climate, even former Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, who presided over the state senate for a record 18 years, told 11 News he wouldn’t want the job now.
"These people are ideologues trying to run things," Hobby said. "The only (bill) that matters is the general appropriations bill. The rest of it is poetry."
