How much money Texas spends from the more than $50 billion in surplus revenue and other funds sitting around this legislative session might depend on whether conservative lawmakers are willing to break character and loosen up the state’s purse.

As state lawmakers prepare to craft the next biennial budget, most Texans favor using some of the state’s multi-billion-dollar surplus on school safety, mental health services and tax relief for businesses and property owners.

As is usual in any Texas legislative session, the budget takes center stage. But this session’s budget is a real showstopper.

Gov. Greg Abbott and legislative leaders have promised homeowners the largest property tax break ever. But small and medium-sized businesses also face crushing property taxes, and they do not get homestead exemptions or limits on annual increases in valuations.

Republican Commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey boycotted Harris County Commissioners Court for weeks this past fall to force the Democratic majority to adopt a smaller budget and lower tax rates.