Bare-bones Texas budget proposals need a lot of work

True to their word, Gov. Rick Perry and legislative leaders are going to make state agencies -- and fellow lawmakers -- work hard for anything beyond a bare-bones approach to spending in the 2014-15 state budget.

In fact, considering that the Legislature trimmed $15 billion from projected spending in the 2012-13 budget when they adopted it two years ago, and initial spending plans introduced in both the House and Senate on Monday contemplate even further reductions, you might say that even some of the bare bones have been removed.

Point made. Perry and just about every leader in the state's Republican-dominated body insist that the way to bring more prosperity to Texas is to spend as few taxpayer dollars as possible. They say, without pinning themselves down on exactly how they would do it, they want to return some of those dollars to taxpayers.

Don't spend it yet. There's plenty of work to be done on the budget between now and the Legislature's scheduled May 27 adjournment, and there will be plenty of pushing for more spending.

House leaders have proposed $187.7 billion in spending over the next two years. The initial Senate budget proposes $186.8 million.

Comptroller Susan Combs has estimated that $208.2 billion will be available. The more than $20 billion difference between her figure and those in the initial budget plans leaves a lot of room for setting priorities, separating needs from wants and investing the right amount in additional programs that will benefit all Texans.

It is admirable that Perry for many years has focused on economic development, on attracting new businesses and more jobs to Texas. He leaves no doubt that he will sing that song proudly as long as he has a voice to sing it with.

But there are important things that must go along with job growth, providing basic services and even amenities to the people who fill Texas jobs. After all, you want them to enjoy themselves and be happy they came here.

They'll want good public schools, good roads, other transportation options, basics like water, amenities like well-maintained state parks.

Living in Texas means more than the basics, which calls for a well-planned, better-than-bare-bones state budget.

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