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With a $24 billion budget surplus on the horizon, Texans have voiced their preferences for how the state should allocate these funds. A survey conducted by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston highlights property tax relief, teacher pay raises, and Medicaid expansion as top priorities.
The survey indicates that 50% of respondents prioritize homeowner property tax relief. Meanwhile, 40% support increasing teacher salaries, and 34% advocate for expanding Medicaid coverage.
Additionally, there is considerable backing for using public money to fund private school tuition through education savings accounts (ESAs). Specifically, 72% favor such programs for low-income parents, while 67% support extending them to all parents.
Renée Cross from the Hobby School noted that Texans desire legislative action across various issues: "We found that Texans want the Legislature to spend that money addressing a wide range of issues." She also mentioned interest in investing in public schools and water infrastructure, boosting the Texas Energy Fund, and supporting rural hospitals.
Regarding border security spending, three-quarters of respondents believe it should be maintained or increased. Mark P. Jones from Rice University's Baker Institute highlighted strong Republican support for increased border security funding despite changes in federal leadership: "56% of Republicans want to see the state spend more money than it spent on border security during the Biden presidency."
The survey also reveals significant support for eliminating state sales taxes on items like school textbooks and HVAC systems. There is broad approval for ESAs among different demographics but less so among older generations compared to Gen Z.
The full report is accessible on the Hobby School website. The survey was conducted in both English and Spanish with a margin of error of +/-2.83%. Future reports will explore topics such as immigration policies and election reform.