Texas Almanac, 1947-1948 Page: 353
[610] p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCES
There was a balance of $35,465,404 in the
state's general revenue fund at the end of
the calendar year, Dec. 31, 1946. There were
also heavy balances in practically all of the
state funds, including notably the highway
fund which accumulated reserves during the
war years against the heavy expenditures for
rehabilitation in the postwar period. The
condition of the general fund represented a
marked improvement over a deficit which
began in 1931, reached the peak of $29,243,-
065.42 at the end of the fiscal year 1942, and
was finally eliminated In 1945.
Revenues and Expenditures.
Total revenue receipts for government
operation by the State of Texas during the
fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 1946, amounted to
$301,523,177.25. This included revenues from
all taxes, licenses, fees, interests, penalties
and sales of commodities as listed in the table
beginning on page 355. Nonrevenue receipts
amounted to $41,664,171.39, including proceeds
from sale and redemption of securities and
deposits subject to repayment, making total
receipts of $343,187,348.64. Governmental cost
expenditures for the same year amounted to
$238,616,434.15, while noncost payments were
$58,043,719.77, making a total of $296,660,-
153.92. A summary statement of receipts and
expenditures with the Treasury balances is
given in two tables on p. 355 and in greater
detail in tables beginning on pp. 355 aid 359.
State Fiscal System.
The administration of the fiscal affairs of
Texas is principally by four agencies, the
State Comptroller of Public Accounts, the
State Treasurer, the State Board of Control
and the State Auditor. Several other depart-
ments administer in part the laws relating
to special assessments and funds
The State Comptroller keeps the state's
ledger, collects certain special taxes and
makes an annual report on the state finances.
The State Treasurer receives on warrants
from the Comptroller all funds paid into the
Treasury and serves as custodian of the state
funds. The foregoing two officials are con-
stitutionally provided and are elected by the
people. The State Board of Control, estab-
lished by statute in 1919, is appointed by the
Governor and is the state's budget-making
agency. It prepares estimates and recom-
mendations to the Legislature after hearing
the requests of the various state departments
and institutions. It also has joint supervision
of the state's buildings, grounds and the
property of its eleemosynary Institutions The
State Auditor, established in 1929 by statute,
was at first appointed by the Governor but
later made a position appointive by a commit-
tee of the Legislature. This official audits the
books of all state agencies and institutions.
While the administration of all funds lies
in the hands of the officials mentioned above,
the State Legislature actually fixes the budg-
et and dictates the financial policies of the
State Government. While this is usually true
in democratic government, it is also true that
in Texas the Legislature exercises greater
authority and has more detailed supervision
with less delegation of fiscal authority than
in most other states. In one respect at least
the bookkeeping authority of the state is
vested in the people themselves, since there
can be no new state bonded obligation with-
out constitutional amendment.
Sources of Revenue.
Sources of revenue to the state are as
follows:
Ad Valorem Tax.-The state ad xalorem
tax is constitutionally limited to 35c for the
general revenue fund, 35c for the available
school fund and 7c for the Confederate
pension fund. The table on p. 354 shows a
complete recapitulation of tax rates and ad
353valorem property values The table on pp
364-367 shows property values by counties
and the varying ratio of rendition tDespite
a full rendition law, there is wide variation
and, since the actual-to-assessed ratio is fixed
by the individual county commissioners
courts sitting as boards of equalization, there
is nonuniformity of support of the govern--
ment as among the counties-a weakness of
the state fiscal system that has been the sub-
ject of much discussion ) Until fairly recent
years the ad valorem tax was the chief
source of state support. In the fiscal year
ended Aug. 31, 1946, it contributed only 8 23
per cent of the state's revenue receipts.
Gross Receipts Taxes.-These levies are
against oil, gas, sulphur and certain commer-
cial enterprises. They account for 17.4 per
cent of the state's revenues and are paid in
the ratio of 75 per cent into the general fund
and 25 per cent into the available school fund
(There is constitutional provision that one
fourth of all taxes construed as occupational
shall be paid into the available school fund )
Highway Motor Fuel Tax.-This levy is the
state's greatest revenue source, bringing a
net of 18.7 per cent of total receipts. Pay-
ments are one half to the state highway fund,
one fourth to the county and district road
indebtedness fund for retirement of bonds on
roads built by local units and later assumed
by the state as part of the highway system,
and one fourth to the available school fund
Automobile Licenses.-This levy accounts
for 4 29 per cent of the state's revenues and
is paid into the state highway fund.
Cigarette Stamp Tax. - This tax accounts
for 6.18 per cent of state revenues, and is paid
Into the omnibus tax clearance fund as is the
insurance companies' occupational tax, the
liquor stamp tax, wine stamp tax and certain
other revenues on which the omnibus tax fund
gives a priority for payment of old-age pen-
sions and other welfare benefits.
An Itemization of the several sources of re-
enue in the form of taxes, licenses, fees,
Interests and federal and other aid is given in
table on pp 355-359.
Operating Funds.
The principal funds into which revenues are
paid and from which appropriations are made
are as follows
General Revenue Fund.-The state's depart-
mental and institutional operations are largely
financed through this fund by constitutional
and statutory allocations of revenues thereto
(see table pp. 355-359), and by legislative
appropriations therefrom. It is the most im-
portant of the state's funds, since the nucleus
of the government is operated through It, but
its annual cash transactions are less than
those of several special funds. Appropriations
from the fund are made by the Legislature,
usually in detail.
State Highway Fund.-This is the largest of
the special funds maintained for administra-
tion of state highway laws and for construc-
tion and maintenance of highways. Payment
is by detailed appropriation for administrative
purposes, but by lump sum for expenditures
on highways at discretion of the State High-
way Commission.
Available School Fund.-From this reservoir
operations of the public free school system of
the state are maintained, though there are
supplementary appropriations from the gen-
eral revenue fund for maintenance of the
state's educational administrative system and
for provision of an equalization fund ("rural
aid") for the school districts having less than
average tax resources. Revenue to the fund is
primarily from the school ad valorem tax and
from one fourth of the receipts from each of
the several occupational taxes, including the
gasoline sales tax. Expenditures from the fund
are by legislative appropriation, but prorated
among the school districts of the state on per
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Texas Almanac, 1947-1948, book, 1947; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117136/m1/355/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.