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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment limiting the rate of growth of |
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appropriations for welfare programs. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 51-a, Article III, Texas Constitution, |
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is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) |
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to read as follows: |
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(b) The Legislature may provide by General Law for medical |
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care, rehabilitation and other similar services for needy persons. |
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The Legislature may prescribe such other eligibility requirements |
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for participation in these programs as it deems appropriate and may |
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make appropriations out of state funds for such purposes, subject |
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to Subsection (b-1) of this section. |
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(b-1) The rate of growth of the total amount of |
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appropriations made for welfare programs for a state fiscal |
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biennium as compared to the preceding state fiscal biennium may not |
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exceed the maximum rate of growth of appropriations prescribed by |
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Section 22(a), Article VIII, of this constitution [maximum amount
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paid out of state funds for assistance grants to or on behalf of
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needy dependent children and their caretakers shall not exceed one
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percent of the state budget]. The Legislature by general statute |
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may [shall] provide for the means for determining the state budget |
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amounts, including state and other funds appropriated by the |
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Legislature, to be used in establishing the biennial limit. In this |
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subsection, "welfare programs" means the following: |
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(1) the medical assistance program or a successor to |
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that program; |
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(2) the children's health insurance program or a |
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successor to that program; |
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(3) the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families |
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program or a successor to that program; and |
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(4) any other program that is: |
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(A) an entitlement program for individuals; or |
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(B) a program under which cash assistance or |
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other benefits are provided to individuals on a means-tested basis. |
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SECTION 2. Section 51-a(c), Article III, Texas |
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Constitution, is repealed. |
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SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
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submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2013. |
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The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the |
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proposition: "The constitutional amendment limiting the rate of |
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growth of spending authorized for welfare programs." |