Leaders from both the House and Senate released their respective chambers’ preliminary budgets for the 2024-2025 biennium on Wednesday.
Both budgets propose nearly $289 billion from total funds and $130.1 billion in general revenue, some $50 billion short of the $188.2 billion that the state has available to appropriate over the next cycle, including a $32.7 billion surplus.
mong the proposed spending are increases to funding for women’s health and nursing programs. The House budget bill proposes $547.2 million for women’s health, including $22 million to support the Alternatives to Abortion program and other maternal assistance.
The legislature will consider several measures that address maternal, reproductive, and mental health this session, including bills aimed at extending postpartum Medicaid eligibility for mothers from the current 6 months to at least 12 months.
Meanwhile, House Bill 214 would reestablish the Women’s Health Advisory Committee (WHAC) to provide policy recommendations to the state commission on women’s health for programs like Healthy Texas Women.