May another $2B month for Texas sales tax revenue
AUSTIN, Texas—The Texas Comptroller reports that the state collected more than $2 billion in May, marking 26 months of sales tax growth.
The total released Wednesday is a 7 percent increase over last year. The state distributed $514 million to local governments.
Sales taxes are the state's largest source of income. Comptroller Susan Combs said the oil and gas industry continue to be a major contributor to sales tax growth, but that restaurants are also doing well as the economy continues to recover.
The state's tax revenues are higher than forecast, but still not enough to cover an expected $4 billion budget deficit next year. Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday asked state agencies to be prepared for 10 percent cuts when the Legislature meets again next year.
