House Appropriations Committee Votes Out Budget Bill

On Wednesday, March 23, the House Appropriations Committee voted to pass the budget bill (HB 1) favorably out of committee. The vote was 18-7, with Representatives Turner, Giddings, Johnson, Martinez, Villarreal, McClendon and Hochberg voting 'nay.' You can all the members of the committee here: HAC Committee Members

The bill appropriates $164.5 billion for the 2012-2013 biennium, which is a 12.3 percent decrease from the amount appropriated in the 2010-2011 biennium. General revenue (the money that the state collects through taxes and fees) decreased from $87 billion in the 2010-2011 biennium to $77.6 billion in the 2012-2013 biennium, a 5.4 percent cut. The budget bill does not use any money from the state's Economic Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund), which has about $6 billion. 

This budget lays out severe cuts that will affect the livelihood of millions of Texans. The bill lays out 10 percent cuts to Medicaid providers, an $8 billion cut in funding to school districts, and cuts to environmental regulatory agencies. Texas Impact is in the process of working through the 1000 page document and will be reporting on the cuts as we get there, so check back often for more detailed information. 

The budget will be heard on the House floor on Friday, April 1st. To see a full copy of the HB1 as reported from the committee, click here. 

Article II Cuts: Health and Human Services

Some cuts to the Department of Aging and Disabilities: 

• DADS will loose $4.8 billion in funding for the biennium ($13.3B in 2010-2011 to $8.5B in 2012-2013). They receive $6.1 billion less than requested in the agency's Legislative Appropriations Request.
• An average of 315 fewer Texans with intellectual or developmental disabilities will not recieve MHMR community services each month.
• Payments to nursing homes will decrease from $4 billion (2010-2011) to $2.7 billion (2012-2013).
• An average of 875 fewer Texans will be able to live in State Supported Living Centers each month.

Some cuts to the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

• DARS will loose $63 million in funding for the biennium ($1.25M in 2010-2011 to $1.19M in 2012-2013). They receive $209 million less than requested in the agency's Legislative Appropriations Request.
• An average of 5217 fewer children with developemental disabilities will be served each month in the Early Childhood Intervention program.
• The autism program is completed defunded, causing 224 children to loose services per month.
• An average of 6,235 fewer Texans per month would receive BEST (Blindness Education, Screening and Treatment) services.
• An average of 1,336 fewer blind Texans would receive services that help them secure or keep their jobs each month.
• 225 fewer Texans with spinal cord and brain injuries recieve Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services.

Some cuts to the Department of Family and Protective Services

• DFPS will receive $450 million less than they requested in the agency's LAR
• DFPS will be able to receive about 1000 fewer reports of child abuse or neglect than if they were funded at the rate in the agency's LAR.
• 2,194 fewer at risk youth would receive intervention care and counseling each month through the STAR program.
• DFPS would receive $8.3 million less to buy computers needed to do casework in the field ($22.8M in 2010-2011 to $14.5M in 2012-2013).

Some cuts to the Department of State Health Services

• DSHS will loose $622.5 million in funding for the biennium ($6.1B in 2010-2011 to $5.5B in 2012-2013). They receive $716 million less than requested in the LAR.
• Funding for the Abstinence Education program is cut entirely, which will no longer serve 100,000 Texas kids. 
• 1,600 fewer special needs children will have access to the Special Health Care Needs program. 
• An average of 4,238 fewer Texans will receive community mental health services each month. 
• An average of 1,379 fewer children will receive community mental health services each month.
• 281 fewer youths will receive treatment in substance abuse programs each month, compared to estimated agency demand.

Some cuts to the Health and Human Services Commission

• HHSC will loose $550 million in funding for the biennium ($35.7B in 2010-2011 to $35.2B in 2012-2013). They receive $15 billion less than requested in the agency's LAR. 
• An average of 513,819 fewer children per month will receive access to Medicaid and CHIP, compared to estimated agency demand.
• 3,432 fewer Texans per biennium will receive access to Family Violence Programs and Shelters, compared to estimated agency demand.
• 14,400 fewer women will receive pregnancy support services as an alternative to abortion.

Article V Cuts: Public Safety and Criminal Justice

Some cuts to the Department of Criminal Justice

• TDCJ will loose $400 million in funding for the biennium ($6.1 billion in 2010-2011 to $5.7 billion in 2012-2013).
• 423 fewer residential facility beds for diversion programs, as compared to the agency's request.
• 7000 fewer offenders with specials needs served through the Continuity of Care programs, as compared to the agency's request. 
• 1350 fewer offenders will receive substance abuse treatment programs as compared with FY 2011.