Who is responsible for certifying that the Texas state budget is balanced?

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is responsible for certifying that the state budget is balanced. This role is crucial because the Texas Constitution requires that the state government operates on a balanced budget, meaning expenditures cannot exceed revenues.

The Comptroller assesses the state's financial situation to ensure that projected revenues will cover proposed expenditures in the budget. This certification process is vital for maintaining fiscal responsibility and ensuring that the state does not incur a budget deficit. The role of the Comptroller includes analyzing economic trends, reporting on revenue forecasts, and providing an independent evaluation of the budget's viability, which helps the legislature and the governor in making informed financial decisions.

The governor and legislative bodies play significant roles in proposing and setting priorities for the budget but do not have the authority to certify its balance. Therefore, the Comptroller’s certification is a key component of the budgetary process in Texas.