Legislative Budget Hearings

Hello everyone! It’s Ana Yáñez-Correa again.

Just wanted to share with all of you a new link we created on TCJC's Public Policy Center web page titled Legislative Budget Hearings that included some of the following below.

The Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC) presented its Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 to the Budget, Planning and Policy Division of the Governor's Office and to the Legislative Budget Board on Thursday, August 19, 2010.

To view TJPC's LAR, please click here.

Our concern: Cuts will have a drastic impact on the number of youth committee to the Texas Youth Commission (TYC). According to TJPC, cuts to the base budget in the amount of $14.9 million are expected to result in over 300 new commitments to TYC at a cost to the State of over $60 million for the biennium. A full 10% reduction - amounting to $28.4 million - will result in an additional 400 commitments to TYC at a cost to the State of approximately $67 million for the biennium. These cuts will severely impact juvenile probation departments' ability to provide needed programs and services to divert juveniles from commitment to TYC.

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On Wednesday, September 1, 2010, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) will present its Legislative Appropriations Request for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 to the Budget, Planning and Policy Division of the Governor's Office and to the Legislative Budget Board. The Hearing will take place from 9:00 am - 10:30 am in the Capitol Extension, Room E2.028. Public comments will be permitted.

To view TCJS's LAR, please click here.

Our concern: In the face of a potential 15% budget cut (including across-the-board 5% agency budget cuts and an extra, requested 10% budget cut), TCJS could potentially lose 2-3 staff members, possibly inspectors (out of a current total of 5 inspectors). Without inspections, TCJS will not be able to fully realize its critical mission to set constitutional jail standards, conduct facility inspections, and enforce compliance with rules and procedures - all of which keep Texas jails safe, well regulated, and run by educated, professional leadership.

We cannot allow the state to roll back the progress it has made since the mid 70's when TCJS was established. TCJS must continue to be provided a level of funding equal to - or more than (see note below) - what it is presently receiving. Failure to do so will pose a threat to personnel and to crucial functions, including travel for on-site trainings and technical assistance for jail administrators, the timely re-inspection of noncompliant facilities, special inspections of at-risk facilities, and meetings with local leadership to address facility issues. TCJS must continue to be provided a level of funding equal to - or more than (SEE NOTE) - what it is presently receiving. Failure to do so will pose a threat to personnel and to crucial functions, including travel for on-site trainings and technical assistance for jail administrators, the timely re-inspection of noncompliant facilities, special inspections of at-risk facilities, and meetings with local leadership to address facility issues.

NOTE: Compared to the budget and responsibilities of other state agencies, TCJS's annual budget of $1,024,506 (submitted by the agency for FY 2012 and FY 2013 - already 5% less than it was appropriated for FY 10 and 11) is insufficient to meet the growing demands of counties. At the very least, this amount must be maintained, but increased funding would better enable it to fulfill its mission and assist counties in need.

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On Tuesday, September 7, 2010, the Texas Judicial Council the Office of Court Administration (OCA) will present its Legislative Appropriations Request for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 to the Budget, Planning and Policy Division of the Governor's Office and to the Legislative Budget Board. The Hearing will take place from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm in the Capitol Extension, Room E2.028. Public comments will be permitted.

To view OCI's LAR, please click here.

Our concern: TCJC is particularly concerned with any reductions to counties for indigent defense, and we fully support the indigent defense exceptional items. As directed by the state's leadership, this LAR reduces the baseline budget for OCA programs to 95% of FY 2010-11 levels for General Revenue and GR-Dedicated Accounts. The agency is fully prepared to operate with reductions in some of its programs; however, a 95% level of funding will seriously impede the agency's ability to carry out certain key programs, including its certification programs (which already operate on very small budgets) and OCA's child support and child protection courts. It will also require the agency to (1) absorb one-time salary savings that were achieved in FY 2010-11, but which are not sustainable in FY 2012-13, (2) continue operating without a court services consultant, who supports OCA's core mission of providing technical assistance, training, and research on court administration, and (3) reduce grant funding to counties for indigent defense.

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Solutions to the Budget Cuts

Instead of harmful budgetary cuts to critical programs, the Legislature must use the Rainy Day Fund, which could provide over $8 billion for the 2012-2013 state budget. Additionally, policy-makers must maximize the use of available federal funding, including any additional stimulus aid or new matching funds made available by health care reform. Finally, the Legislature must create new sources of revenue that are equitable and can grow along with the need for public services, as well as eliminate unproductive tax breaks.

Other LARs and Budget Hearings will be posted as soon as we learn about them.

To see other key agencies' LARs, please click here.

To view other scheduled budget hearings, please click here.

Hope that all of you have a wonderful and restful weekend!