Comptroller: $194.6 billion available for 2026–27; rainy‑day fund will hit cap

Comptroller Glenn Hegar told the House Committee on Appropriations that the state has an estimated $194.6 billion available for general‑purpose spending in the 2026–27 biennium, a 1.1% decline from the certified amount for the 2024–25 biennium.

Hegar said the total includes a projected $23.8 billion ending balance carried forward from the current biennium, $155.4 billion in tax revenues and $21.0 billion in non‑tax receipts. “The $23.8 billion projected ending balance for the 24–25 biennium is robust,” Hegar said, adding that the composition of the balance differs from the prior record carryover because of unspent contingent appropriations and dedicated accounts.

Why it matters: the mix of one‑time carryover dollars, dedicated accounts and federal funds affects whether lawmakers can use money for ongoing programs or only one‑time items. Hegar emphasized that much of the carryover consists of funds dedicated for specific purposes or contingent appropriations…