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State sales tax revenue totaled $3.6 billion

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(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar today said state sales tax revenue totaled $3.57 billion in March, 5.9 percent more than in March 2022. The majority of March sales tax revenue is based on sales made in February and remitted to the agency in March.“In line with our biennial revenue forecast, state sales tax collections resumed the recent trend of significant but slowing growth, with the gain compared with the previous year being the lowest since the end of pandemic restrictions two years ago,” Hegar said. “Growth in tax receipts was evident across all major sectors, with the exception of retail trade, as consumers reallocate budgets away from goods in favor of services as inflation continues to impact shoppers.“Receipts from the oil and gas mining sector led the way for all sectors, showing nearly a 50 percent gain for the third straight month. Remittances from the construction sector were up by double digits compared with last March, and receipts from the wholesale trade sector showed gains compared with a year ago, indicating business spending is still very strong in the state.“Remittances from the retail trade sector were negative compared with the same month the previous year for the first time since April 2022. Within the sector, general merchandise receipts were down the most compared with last year. Remittances from the sale of building materials declined for the third consecutive month, as the pace of home improvements and remodeling projects that saw enormous increases at the height of the pandemic decidedly slowed. Receipts from clothing and accessory stores were down moderately.“Restaurant receipts were up considerably for the second month in a row compared with a year ago, outpacing the inflation rate for food away from home by nearly 50 percent.” Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in March 2023 was up 8.7 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Sales tax is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 56 percent of all tax collections. Texas collected the following revenue from other major taxes: motor vehicle sales and rental taxes — $432 million, up 12 percent from March 2022; motor fuel taxes — $287 million, up 4 percent from March 2022; oil production tax — $427 million, down 10 percent from March 2022; natural gas production tax — $267 million, down 23 percent from March 2022; hotel occupancy tax — $61 million, up 21 percent from March 2022; and alcoholic beverage taxes — $138 million, up 11 percent from March 2022.For details on all monthly collections, visit the Comptroller’s Monthly State Revenue Watch. For an extensive history of tax policy developments and fees since 1972, visit our updated Sources of Revenue publication.
 
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Motorcyclist injures in July 4th wreck

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The Department of Public Safety has provided information on an auto vs. motorcycle accident that reportedly occurred on July 4.
James Lee Hilton, Nocona, was driving a 2019 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and Daniel Parra, Chico, was driving a 2018 Ford Fiesta. Both vehicles were north on State Highway 101 outside Sunset with the motorcycle behind the car.
Parra was attempting to turn left on Farm-to-Market Road 2265 when the motorcyclist attempted to unsafely pass to the left states the report. The bike struck the left side of the Fiesta. Both vehicles came to rest off the roadway on the northwest corner of SH 101 and FM 2265.
Hilton was transported to Denton Medical City with

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Crash closes East Wise 2 hours, two injured

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A major crash on East Wise in front of the Second Monday parking on July 11 shut down traffic for several hours in the morning and sent two people to the Bowie emergency room.
The accident occurred at 9:53 a.m. Thursday at 1616 E. Wise involving a large sign installation truck and an SUV.
Briana Rollison, Bowie, was driving a 2001 Ford Expedition east in the 1600 block of E. Wise and the large truck from Turner Signs System of Richland Hills was traveling west on East Wise driven by Joshua Thompson.
The preliminary accident report states Thompson lost control of the vehicle crossing the double yellow line striking the SUV in front of the Parker Properties and Farm Services Building. The SUV was knocked into the ditch and later made it back on the roadway.
The truck rolled on the passenger side and slid about 50-100 feet west of the incident location. Skid marks from the truck were observed to start approximately 300-350 feet east of the crash location.

See the full story in the weekend Bowie News.

This large sign installation truck turned over after striking an SUV on East Wise Street Thursday morning. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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Bowie city budget offered to council

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By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Bowie City Councilors this week got their first look at the 2024-25 proposed budget seeing a balanced plan with a total operational budget of $23,296,885 in expenses, which is a little more than $1.4 million above the previous year’s budget.
Mayor Gaylynn Burris said Monday night the budget looks “eerily familiar” to last year, despite adding a few equipment purchases. City Manager Bert Cunningham said he had already slashed more than $300,000 from the department requests in order to get a balanced budget.
The utility fund is balanced with expenses of $12,595,995 and revenues projected at $12,601,000. In the general fund revenues are projected at $10,705,568 with expenses at $10,700,890. Total budget expenses are $23,296,885 and overall revenue projected at $23,306,568. Cunningham said it leaves a small margin to set forth a balanced budget.

Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.

Top photo: New chip and seal was laid on Elba and Lamb this week repairing well-worn roads near the Nelson/Mill drainage project. (Photo by Barbara Green)

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