April 21, 2015      1:17 PM
Greenfield: Holding take-home pay constant for state government employment
Quorum Report’s resident number Dr. Stuart Greenfield cruncher goes in depth on how to best create a sustainable state government workforce
As
we enter the critical stage of the 84thLegislature, the state faces a
favorable fiscal situation. The budget
situation this session is excellent with an ending balance of $7.5 billion and
a minimum in available total state revenue in excess of $220.9 billion for the
FY16-17 biennium.
While
additional funding for public education, transportation and Medicaid
are required, another issue will be maintaining a well-qualified and
professional workforce.
Since
the beginning of the 21st Century, Texas has witnessed both a substantial
growth in population (22.9 percent) and an above average growth in real Gross
State Product (GSP) per capita (7.5 percent). The
population growth rate was over twice the U.S. rate, while growth in GSP per capita was 30 percent greater than the U.S. growth.
State GSP per capita continues to be greater than GSP per capita for the United States.
Growth
in population and an increase in real median household income results in an
increased demand for public services; citizens require new roads, improved
public and higher education, those in need qualify for social services, and
protecting both its citizens and environment are critical for a growing state.
The complete column from Dr.
Stuart Greenfield can be found in
the R&D Department.
By Stuart Greenfield, Ph.D.
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