Story by the Forney Messenger

AUSTIN, Texas—Comptroller Susan Combs today announced that the state collected $1.77 billion in sales tax revenue in May, a 5.2 percent decrease compared to May 2008.

“Weakness throughout most sectors of the economy resulted in a significant decrease in May sales tax collections,” Combs said. “While year-to-date sales tax revenue is up 0.5 percent for state fiscal 2009, further declines are expected this year.”

Combs sent cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $441.1 million in June local sales tax allocations, down 3.9 percent compared to last June.

Combs sent June sales tax allocations of $297 million to Texas cities, down 3 percent compared to June 2008. So far this calendar year, city sales tax allocations are down 0.5 percent compared to the same time period last year. Texas counties received sales tax payments of $26.4 million, down 6.9 percent compared to last June. So far this year, sales tax allocations to counties remain up 2.7 percent compared to 2008.

In addition, $17.1 million went to 150 special purpose taxing districts around the state, down 0.9 percent compared to last June. Ten local transit systems received $100.4 million in sales tax allocations, down 6 percent compared to a year ago. June’s sales tax allocations represent sales that occurred in April.

Forney:
Net Payment This Period: $241,896.23
Comparable Payment Prior Year: $ 233,074.74
Percent Change: 3.78%

2009 Payments to Date: $1,625,418.34
2008 Payments to Date: $1,562,518.95
Percent Change: 4.02%

Below: Comptroller Susan Combs

This story and any accompanying photo(s) were originally published in the Forney Messenger and are Copyright © 2009, Forney Messenger, Inc. and have been used by permission. The Forney Messenger is the publisher of Kaufman County’s oldest newspaper and may be found online at www.ForneyMessengerInc.com.

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