Texas Sales Tax Revenue Falls 13.2% in May

On Monday, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Texas collected about $2.6 billion in state sales tax revenue in May, 13.2% less than the roughly $3 billion the state collected in the same month last year. It’s the steepest decline in over a decade and is the first full-month look at how Texas’ statewide stay-at-home order impacted businesses.

“Significant declines in sales tax receipts were evident in all major economic sectors, with the exception of telecommunications services,” Hegar said. “The steepest decline was in collections from oil and gas mining, as energy companies cut well drilling and completion spending following the crash in oil prices.”

Other major tax collections were also down in May. Motor fuel taxes were down 30% from May 2019, the steepest drop since 1989. And the hotel occupancy tax was down 86% from May 2019, the steepest drop on record in data since 1982.

Helpful Websites for Texas Job Seekers

In these quickly changing times, here are a few websites we recommend that may be helpful for friends or loved ones seeking employment now or in the future. Christine’s List focuses on Texas jobs in advocacy, information and public administration. Another resource is Texas Political Jobs, a compilation of legislative, political, public affairs and public policy jobs across the state at every level. Additionally, WorkInTexas.com is the Texas Workforce Commission’s comprehensive online job search resource and matching system, providing recruiting assistance to Texas employers and job search assistance to individuals seeking Texas employment.

Only in Austin…

Resident great horned owl Athena, who has returned to her nest at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin for the last several years, is raising another brood. The owlets were recently photographed near the nest, sticking together as they learn to hunt and eventually survive on their own.