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Tax collections come up short in Texas

Associated Press - November 10, 2009 6:45 AM ET

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas came up $1 billion short of fiscal 2009 projections for sales tax and natural gas tax collections during the recession.

The figures are from the Texas comptroller's office for the fiscal year that ended Aug. 31.

A spokesman for Comptroller Susan Combs, Allen Spelce, says the report is a "snapshot" and the agency is working on an economic forecast.

Dick Lavine with the Center for Public Policy Priorities says the economy was softer than expected. Lavine says Texas would have been "in a lot of trouble" if the state did not get federal stimulus money.

The Houston Chronicle reports Texas received $30.9 billion in federal funds in fiscal 2009, nearly 18 percent more than the previous year. The increase was due in large part to stimulus money and recovery funds after Hurricane Ike.

Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com

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