You think Washington has problems? Texas's solutions to a larger gap.

 Seattle TImes:  Public education in Texas faces massive cuts 

Texas is facing a $15 billion revenue shortfall, and few corners of state government were spared in the draft proposal for the next two years. The Texas Constitution requires a balanced budget, and Republican leaders have vowed not to raise taxes.

Nope, no new taxes. However ... what's the difference between a "tax" and a "fee?"

• State employees and retirees who smoke would pay a $30-a-month "tobacco user monthly premium surcharge"  
• an "annual child support service fee," 
• a "monthly child support processing fee" and an "electronic filing of documents fee."

Nope, no new taxes. However ... wouldn't it be interesting to know how many voting skinflints are really out there and how many would agree with the reduction choices?

Now wasn't that big-mouth governor going on and on a while back about Texas seceding from the union? They're still taking federal money but want to reduce the amount of expense sharing they owe:

The proposal also would reduce reimbursement rates by 10 percent for physicians, hospitals and nursing homes that participate in Medicaid - a decrease that could eventually dry up participation in the health care program for poor and disabled Texans. In all, $2.3 billion would be cut from Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and other health and human services.