Comptroller of Public Accounts: Updated Revenue Estimate

Prior to the legislative session, the Comptroller issues a Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) to tell lawmakers how much they can spend over the next two years. This is the basis upon which appropriations decisions are made. After the legislative session, the Comptroller issues a Certification Revenue Estimate (CRE) to reflect legislative activity and the most current economic information, as well as to take into account final revenue numbers for the recently ended fiscal year. If all goes well, the original estimate kept the spending in check enough so that when the post-session estimate is made, there is indeed enough funding to pay for the check the legislature recently wrote through the appropriations process. Those who pay attention to spending in health and human services, especially Medicaid, should not confuse this with appropriations made during the session to cover Medicaid expenditures. Medicaid spending frequently creates the need for a supplemental appropriation. The CRE i