We are nowhere near having the budget problems that California has. When the legislature meets in 2011 to prepare the budget for September 2011 - August 2012 and September 2012 - August 2013, they are required by law to balance the budget. Any “projected” spending above “projected” revenue must be approved by 4/5 of the legislature, which ain’t gonna happen, and Gov. Perry has a line-item veto. This article is pure horsesh*t. We will do what is necessary to cut spending and generate revenue so we can balance the budget. We haven’t yet begun to exhaust our options. We can use the $9b rainy-day fund, create more tax holidays to generate revenue, allow gambling, and other such things. We’re not even to the point of considering the legalization and taxation of marijuana. So we’re far from California’s budget troubles.
Texas budget shortfall widens to $18 billion
Straus mentioned a number of possibilities for lawmakers to consider
including having unpaid furloughs for state employees
moving to a four-day workweek
freezing top-level state salaries
gas taxes and imposing a moratorium on proposed new programs
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/05/11/2182263/texas-budget-shortfall-widens.html
((Sound familiar?))