The Texas Comptroller has released the sales tax numbers for April, and it doesn't look good.
The financial pain from the coronavirus is just the beginning for the Lone Star State. April sales tax revenue was 2.6 billion dollars, a more than 9 percent decline from April of 2019. Texas comptroller Glenn Hegar notes the business closures and the plunge in oil demand. Former state lawmaker Talmadge Heflin, now with the Texas Public Policy Foundation, says it is vital lawmakers and the Governor make cuts in next year’s budget.
“The folks that don’t want to see a tax increase need to be talking to their elected officials and say hey, we know it’s tough, but we know you can do it,” Heflin said.
State officials say the April numbers reflect sales made in March. The decline will likely be steeper next month. Many worry it may eventually lead to state-wide cuts in infrastructure, law enforcement, and public education.