TX Stimulus Fund
This was the official website to explain and promote what Texas would do with the millions of dollars they were expecting from the the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Content is from the site's 2009 archived pages.
Texas House of Representatives
Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding
Dear Fellow Texan,
Our country and our state face economic challenges the likes of which we have not seen in a generation or more.
Unemployment is up. The stock market is down. And middle-class Texas families are struggling with out of control utility bills, skyrocketing college tuition rates and some of the most expensive homeowners’ insurance in the country.
In response to the national economic crisis, the U.S. Congress recently passed – and President Obama signed into law – the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, also known as the federal economic stimulus bill. This $787 billion combination of tax cuts and funding for infrastructure development and job creation is an historic opportunity to invest in the future.
While Members of the Texas House did not have the opportunity to approve or disapprove of the stimulus, it is our obligation to ensure that the funds are spent with accountability and transparency. We cannot waste tax dollars, or miss the opportunity to make this one-time source of funds for work for Texans.
The bill contains billions of dollars in tax cuts. The “Making Work Pay” tax credit will provide a $400 cut for individuals making up to $75,000 per year, and $800 for families making up to $150,000. Texas homebuyers will benefit from an $8,000 tax credit, and families buying new vehicles may take advantage of a new tax deduction for state and local sales taxes paid on new car purchases.
In Texas, our state will see almost $3 billion in investments intended to be spent on improving our state’s transportation infrastructure by building new highways and bridges.
Texas public schools stand to receive as much as $6 billion in support from the stimulus. And our health care system may see as much as $6 billion in the form of assistance to low-income, under-insured families and uninsured children.
Finally, by putting doing what is right for Texas first – and politics last – our state can assist laid-off workers with up to $500 million in unemployment assistance.
Texas taxpayers deserve nothing less then to have their state’s leaders working overtime on protect the future for all our families. It is my hope that www.txstimulusfund.com will be a resource for businesses, community leaders, and families across our state. Our priorities are providing transparency and accountability, and ensuring that in Texas, the stimulus is used to put our state to work for years to come.
Jim Dunnam
Chairman – Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding
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About Texas Stimulus Fund
PROCLAMATION
APPOINTMENT OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL ECONOMIC STABILIZATION FUNDING
Because of the current economic situation and its effect on state revenues needed to fund essential state services, pursuant to Rule 1, Section 16, of the House Rules, I, Joe Straus, speaker of the house, create the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding.
The committee shall monitor actions of the federal government, including legislation and regulations, related to efforts to promote economic recovery by providing federal funds to the states. Specifically, the committee shall examine federal funding made available to the state in areas of transportation, health care, and education and communicate with federal officials to determine appropriate state legislation needed to maximize the state's receipt of federal funds. Further, the committee shall investigate the efforts undertaken by other states to obtain federal funding in these areas.
Consistent with the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Appropriations in Rule 3, Section 2, of the House Rules, the select committee shall make recommendations to any standing committee of the house regarding legislation necessary for the state to receive federal funds for economic recovery.
The committee shall have nine members. The following members are hereby appointed to the Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding:
The Honorable Jim Dunnam, Chair
The Honorable Myra Crownover, Vice Chair
The Honorable Garnet Coleman
The Honorable Drew Darby
The Honorable Craig Eiland
The Honorable Carol Kent
The Honorable Solomon Ortiz, Jr.
The Honorable Jim Pitts
The Honorable Vicki Truitt
February 12, 2009
Joe Straus
Speaker of the House
The federal economic stimulus provides an historic opportunity to invest in the future of our state. At txstimulusfund.com, our goals are to provide accountability and transparency for Texas taxpayers, and to ensure that stimulus funds are used to invest in the future of our state.
At the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding, we hope that www.txstimulusfund.com will be a resource for families, business owners, elected officials and concerned citizens across Texas. This website will be updated regularly so that we can provide the greatest transparency and accountability for this process. Working together we can see that the stimulus works for Texas, and all our families.
Now we realize that for many people the rules and regulations can seem overwhelming. It's all sounds wonderful that these resources for families, business owners, elected officials and concerned citizens across Texas will be helpful. Think of what's required to have a dog, not the responsibility for care, but the responsibility to government. Most localities require a license, and some require proof of innoculations, etc. Some communities require a separate local registration. Lots to remember. But let's face it, many people have a hard time even making decisions and then implementing. There are many "homeless" dogs because of this. If a dog owner is compromised, the animal suffers. We've read stories of people able to use a computer to place an online order for something as specific as a circular dog bed yet routinely forget to feed the dog. Too many choices can be overwhelming and result in a complete shutdown of a person's ability to get anything done. Transparency is all nice and good, but if you offer too many options and require lots of reading and analysis, you are going to lose folks. Good luck to all those of the select committee who will be making recommendations to any standing committee of the house regarding legislation necessary for the state to receive federal funds for economic recovery. May God help you be successful. I'm sticking with the simpler things, like getting that dog bed for my pooch.
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Committee Hearings
Each hearing of the Select Committee and all accompanying documents are organized here by date. Each link on this webpage will take you to an agenda for that date, an archive of that hearing, and every document that was given to the Select Committee on that date. Future committee hearing dates will show the tentative subject matter to be heard on that day.
More Background on TXStimulusFund.com
TXStimulusFund.com emerged during a pivotal period in Texas and U.S. history, serving as a central hub for information, transparency, and accountability regarding the allocation and use of federal stimulus funds in Texas following the 2008 financial crisis. This article provides a thorough examination of the website’s background, purpose, impact, and significance, drawing on external sources to contextualize its role in the broader landscape of economic recovery and public policy in Texas.
Historical Context: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
In response to the severe economic downturn of 2008, the U.S. Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in February 2009. ARRA was designed to stimulate economic growth, create and save jobs, and invest in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Texas, as one of the largest states, was a major recipient of ARRA funds, with more than $16 billion allocated to the state in various forms.
The Texas Legislature recognized the need for oversight and public engagement to ensure these funds were used effectively and transparently. This led to the creation of the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding, which played a central role in monitoring and reporting on the use of stimulus funds in Texas.
Purpose and Function of TXStimulusFund.com
TXStimulusFund.com was established as the official online platform for the Texas House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding. Its core objectives included:
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Providing detailed information on the allocation and expenditure of ARRA funds in Texas.
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Ensuring transparency and accountability in government spending.
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Serving as a resource for policymakers, businesses, community leaders, and the general public.
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Hosting committee hearing documents, testimony, and regular updates on stimulus-related activities.
The website functioned as a clearinghouse for reports, hearing transcripts, agency submissions, and periodic updates, making it a vital tool for both governmental oversight and civic engagement.
Reviews and Public Perception
While direct user reviews of TXStimulusFund.com are scarce in mainstream media, the website’s existence and approach to transparency received indirect validation from advocacy groups, watchdog organizations, and policy analysts.
For example, the Open Society Foundations highlighted the importance of state-level oversight and public participation in stimulus spending, noting that Texas-based groups were actively working to monitor and influence how recovery funds were distributed. These efforts, while not directly reviewing the website, underscore the value of platforms like TXStimulusFund.com in providing the data and transparency necessary for effective civic oversight.
Bee Moorhead, executive director of Texas Impact, emphasized that participatory efforts linking economic recovery to concrete opportunities for Texans were essential, suggesting that resources such as TXStimulusFund.com played a key role in enabling such participation.
Press and Media Coverage
Media coverage of ARRA implementation in Texas often referenced the need for transparency and the mechanisms established to ensure it. The Texas Observer, for instance, participated as a resource for other media outlets tracking economic recovery, indicating that there was a network of journalists and analysts relying on data and updates from official sources such as TXStimulusFund.com.
Additionally, official reports and interim updates from the Texas House of Representatives frequently cited the website as the repository for documents, hearing schedules, and updates, further cementing its role as the authoritative source for stimulus-related information in Texas.
Audience and Stakeholders
TXStimulusFund.com was designed to serve a broad audience, including:
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Legislators and policymakers: To inform decision-making and legislative oversight.
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State and local agencies: To coordinate and report on stimulus-funded projects.
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Businesses and contractors: To identify opportunities and comply with reporting requirements.
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Community organizations and advocacy groups: To monitor spending and advocate for equitable distribution.
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General public and media: To access transparent information on how federal funds were being used in Texas.
Known For: Transparency and Accountability
The website became known for its commitment to transparency and accountability in government spending. It provided:
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Regularly updated reports on fund allocations, obligations, and expenditures.
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Detailed documentation of committee hearings, including testimony from state agencies and public stakeholders.
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Summaries of monitoring activities, compliance reviews, and audits related to ARRA-funded programs.
This level of detail was unprecedented in many states at the time and served as a model for how state governments could leverage online platforms to increase public trust and engagement.
Cultural and Social Significance
The launch and operation of TXStimulusFund.com reflected a broader shift in public expectations regarding government transparency and digital accessibility. As federal stimulus funds represented the largest spending package in U.S. history, there was intense scrutiny from both the public and advocacy groups to ensure that funds were used effectively and equitably.
The website played a crucial role in:
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Empowering citizens and organizations to hold the government accountable.
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Facilitating informed public debate about the priorities and outcomes of stimulus spending.
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Supporting advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring that vulnerable and underserved communities benefited from recovery programs.
The coalition of organizations monitoring stimulus spending in Texas, as highlighted by the Open Society Foundations, relied on transparent reporting and accessible data—functions that TXStimulusFund.com was specifically designed to provide.
Technical and Operational Details
Content and Features:
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Committee Hearings: The website archived all hearing agendas, testimony, and supporting documents, organized by date and topic. Hearings covered a wide range of subjects, including transportation, education, health and human services, energy, broadband, and rural development.
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Reports and Updates: The committee published at least 60 “Chairman’s Updates” and several formal reports summarizing data, compliance issues, and recommendations for further study.
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Agency Submissions: State agencies submitted regular reports on their use of ARRA funds, including compliance with federal and state requirements, progress on funded projects, and challenges encountered.
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Public Participation: The website provided mechanisms for public testimony and feedback, reflecting the committee’s commitment to participatory governance.
Examples of Impact:
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Education: The Texas Education Agency and local school districts used ARRA funds for technology upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and program support. The website documented both the benefits and challenges of integrating these funds into long-term planning.
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Energy and Broadband: The Texas Department of Agriculture and other agencies reported on grants for broadband expansion in rural areas and energy efficiency programs, with detailed summaries available through the site.
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Social Services: Funding for school lunch programs, emergency food assistance, and support for low-income families was tracked and reported, ensuring that these critical resources reached intended recipients.
Insights and Lessons Learned
The operation of TXStimulusFund.com yielded several important insights:
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Timeliness and Planning: Many agencies and school districts noted that the timing of ARRA fund disbursement affected their ability to plan and implement programs efficiently. The website’s documentation helped identify these issues and inform future policy adjustments.
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Compliance and Oversight: The strict reporting requirements for ARRA funds, as documented on the site, highlighted the importance of robust oversight mechanisms. This experience has informed ongoing discussions about government accountability in large-scale spending programs.
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Public Engagement: The availability of detailed, accessible information enabled advocacy groups and the public to engage more effectively with policymakers, contributing to a more participatory and transparent governance process.
Broader Policy Context and Comparisons
TXStimulusFund.com was part of a nationwide trend toward greater transparency in the use of federal stimulus funds. Many states established similar online platforms, often as a response to federal mandates for accountability and transparency in ARRA spending. The Education Commission of the States noted that such platforms were crucial for maximizing the impact of stimulus funds and fostering innovation in education and other sectors.
TXStimulusFund.com stands as a significant example of how state governments can leverage digital platforms to promote transparency, accountability, and public engagement in the management of large-scale federal funding. Its comprehensive documentation, regular updates, and accessible resources made it an essential tool for policymakers, agencies, advocacy groups, and the general public during a critical period of economic recovery in Texas.
By fostering a culture of openness and participation, the website contributed to a more informed and engaged citizenry, helping to ensure that the benefits of federal stimulus spending were realized across the state. The lessons learned from its operation continue to inform best practices in government transparency and public oversight.