Texas taxpayers have an opportunity to voice their concerns on how lawmakers intend to spend their money over the next two fiscal years as a part of the state budget.

The Texas Senate Finance Committee has scheduled a series of public hearings on the matter to take place over the next few weeks.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick appointed Senate committees on Monday. It is expected that the Texas House of Representatives will have its committee assignments in the next week or so.

Though the final version of the General Appropriations Act (GAA), or proposed state budget, that will find its way through the legislative process will begin in the House this session (House Bill 1), each legislative chamber deliberates its proposed base budgets as a part of the process.

Both versions of the proposed state budget were filed last Wednesday. You can see Texans for Fiscal Responsibility’s (TFR) statement on that legislation here.

Upcoming Senate Finance Committee Hearings

The Senate Finance Committee has divided its initial budget deliberations up by article for Senate Bill 1. The GAA is comprised of 11 different articles, which include different line items or strategies seeking appropriations.

The following are the hearing dates and times for each article:

• Article I: General Government
  • Monday, January 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
    • Invited and Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)
  • Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
    • Invited and Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)

• Article II: Health & Human Services
  • Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
    • Invited Testimony Only
  • Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
    • Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)

• Article III: Education
  • Monday, February 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
    • Invited and Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)
  • Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
    • Invited and Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)
  • Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
    • Invited and Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)

• Article IV: The Judiciary
  • Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Invited and Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)

• Article V: Public Safety and Criminal Justice
  • Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
    • Invited and Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)

• Article VI: Natural Resources
  • Monday, February 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
    • Invited and Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)

• Article VII: Business and Economic Development
  • Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
    • Invited and Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)

• Article VIII: Regulatory
  • Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
    • Invited and Public Testimony (Limited to 2 minutes)

What Is Next?

If you are unable to attend the hearings or provide written or in-person testimony, you can find your lawmaker’s contact information here.

The overall budget process will continue throughout the ongoing 88th Legislative Session. Using past legislative sessions as a guide, it is likely the near-final version will be deliberated by the House of Representatives near late March or early April before heading to the Senate.

Upon the conclusion of each chamber’s consideration, both chambers will likely appoint conference committees to deliberate the differences before the budget is considered for a final vote near the conclusion of the legislative session.

TFR will keep readers updated on the process and deliberations as they unfold.