Posted in [Recent Posts]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 24, 2011                            

Contact: Peter Clark, Peter.Clark@house.state.tx.us, (512) 463-0532 (o), (512) 417-9262  

Villarreal Amendment Requires Study of Job Loss from Budget

 Austin - Today the House of Representatives passed a House Rules amendment by Rep. Mike Villarreal to require the Legislative Budget Board to calculate the number of public and private sector jobs that will be lost as a result of the state budget.  

"The Republican budget proposal would destroy thousands of jobs as Texas families still struggle with a high unemployment rate," said Rep. Villarreal. "We need to make sure legislators understand the impact of the budget before they vote on it.  

The Legislative Budget Board reports that the current state budget proposal would eliminate 9,610 jobs with the state government. The drastic elimination of services in the proposed budget would also eliminate jobs at nursing homes, schools, non-profit organizations, and other entities that use state funding to serve Texans. An analysis of the budget by school finance experts at Moak, Casey and Associates estimates that school districts throughout the state may eliminate up to 100,000 jobs.  Additionally, the reduction in spending by those Texans who lose public sector jobs will produce a loss of jobs at small businesses and other private sector employers.