Reduce Wasteful Spending
Governor Perry has worked hard to bring clarity to the state budgeting process, to ensure that taxpayers know where their dollars are going. By imposing firm accountability measures on spending, increasing transparency on budget items and calling for spending cuts, Gov. Perry led an effort that turned a $10 billion budget deficit into what is estimated to be a double-digit surplus.
Key Initiatives
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Reduce Wasteful Spending
Government should be transparent. Gov. Perry works to make the state budget more detailed and accountable to Texas taxpayers. In 2005, the governor ordered school districts to post their expenditures online. Gov. Perry’s office soon followed suit. This effort has led to legislative action requiring all state agencies post their checkbooks online ensuring transparency and fiscal efficiency.
Truth-in-budgeting has always been important to Gov. Perry. He believes that “when government levies a tax and collects more money than is needed, we must either stop collecting the tax, return the money or both.” The governor has ordered temporary ceases on the collection of certain taxes, providing millions of dollars in tax cuts to Texans. The governor continues urging the legislature to not use budget gimmicks, such as deferred payments, to balance the budget.
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