In the early hours of the morning, the Texas House passed the largest budget in state history—an astonishing $337 billion. As fiscal conservatives, we are sounding the alarm: Spending in Austin is out of control.

Before real debate on the budget even began, House leadership suspended the rules and moved over 300 pre-filed amendments into a procedural graveyard known as Article XI—the “wish list” portion of the budget that allows lawmakers to appear to support conservative reforms without actually delivering them. More than 100 of these amendments were authored by conservatives seeking real change—spending cuts, government accountability, and increased tax relief.

Only 26 representatives had the backbone to vote against this procedural maneuver. They recognized the damage done by sidelining meaningful reforms. Our State Representative Mike Olcott rightly said: “I cannot go back to my district with a $24 billion surplus, and say this is as much property tax relief that we can do.” 

We couldn’t agree more. With a historic $24 billion surplus, taxpayers expected relief—not runaway spending.

The people of Texas deserve better. Government should live within its means, and returns excess revenue to taxpayers.

The final budget will now go to a conference committee, where select members from both chambers will negotiate the final version. We call on those members to restore conservative amendments, cut the waste, and prioritize tax relief—not government expansion.

Texas doesn’t need a bigger budget—it needs a bolder, more conservative vision.