KOLKHORST: RECENT OIL & GAS PRICES AFFECTING BUDGET

  

The Texas State Senate is in the midst of its interim hearings, and one of the most talked-about topics is the recent down-turn in oil and gas prices.

State Comptroller Glen Hager addressed the Senate Finance Committee, Tuesday on its effect for the next budget.

Local State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, a member of the Finance Committee, says the important point is that the state won’t have as much excess money in 2017 as they did last year.

Kolkhorst says it’s even more important now that in the last session the Legislature didn’t spend all of estimated revenue…

Kolkhorst says that whenever oil & gas prices drop, it has a drastic effect on Texas…

Kolkhorst points out that the state also gained 179,000 jobs overall, which compared favorably with other states.

Another point of particular interest to Kolkhorst was the topic of mental health funding in the state.

Kolkhorst says she was thrilled with a rider in the current budget that requires each agency to report what is being spent on mental health...

Kolkhorst is spending Wednesday involved in Transportation Committee hearings.