78R7634 RVH-D

By:  Alonzo                                                       H.R. No. 502



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, In February 2003 the members of the National 
Governor's Association issued a policy statement recognizing that 
states will continue to face budget shortfalls that may total more 
than $80 billion for fiscal year 2004; and
	WHEREAS, Weak growth in the economy has caused nearly all 
states to experience a drastic decline in revenues for each of the 
last three years; in its Fiscal Survey of the States, the National 
Governor's Association found that total state tax collections fell 
by six percent in 2002, even as spending grew by 1.3 percent; and
	WHEREAS, State administrators of federal programs must 
grapple with complying with the federal changes for health care 
coverage, education, and homeland security while facing huge budget 
deficits; and
	WHEREAS, State administrators also must make the difficult 
decision of raising taxes or cutting vital services at a time when 
the need for health insurance coverage by low-income children, the 
elderly, and disabled adults is greatest and at a time when the cost 
of prescription drugs and the delivery of medical services is 
soaring; and
	WHEREAS, In October 2002 the states lost $1.2 billion that 
had been appropriated by the congress to provide health care 
coverage under the State Children's Health Insurance Program 
(S-CHIP) when that money reverted to the federal treasury because 
it was unclaimed by the states; despite appeals from the states to 
do so, the congress did nothing to restore the funding; and
	WHEREAS, If a bipartisan compromise on the allocation of 
S-CHIP funds is not reached by the congress this year, the states 
are scheduled to lose yet another $1.5 billion in October 2003; and
	WHEREAS, Forty-two states are planning to cut some optional 
Medicaid services in fiscal year 2004, including prescription drug 
coverage and coverage for children and pregnant women just above 
the poverty line; and
	WHEREAS, Federal funding should increase for education 
spending under a provision in the No Child Left Behind Act that 
requires states to test elementary and secondary students regularly 
in reading and mathematics and for aid to the states for the cost of 
educating children with disabilities under the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act; and
	WHEREAS, The current appropriations bill signed earlier this 
month contains only $1.3 billion for state and local governments to 
pay for counterterrorism training and equipment; yet, an earlier 
version of the appropriations bill contained $3.5 billion; the 
total appropriation for counterterrorism does not provide enough 
money to protect against terrorist attacks on American soil; and
	WHEREAS, The states are now entering their third year with 
declining revenues and cannot face a future with even less revenue 
to carry out federal program obligations; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby request the President of the United States to 
recognize that Texas and nearly every other state is in fiscal 
crisis and that cutting services and funding to the states should be 
a last resort; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the chief clerk of the Texas House of 
Representatives of the 78th Legislature forward an official copy of 
this resolution to the President of the United States.