Sales Tax Revs Up

Texas state and local sales taxes generated $1.81 billion in December, up from December 2009 collections of  $1.65 ­billion.

December was the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year improvements in sales tax revenue, with increases posted in all categories, according to Comptroller Susan Combs.

“There were increases in the oil and natural gas and manufacturing sectors reflecting recovering business spending,” she said last week. “Sales taxes in the retail trade and restaurant sectors were also up.”

The comptroller’s latest biennial revenue estimate calls for growth in sales tax revenue over the next two fiscal years. The projection is for $42.9 billion over the period, an increase of $3 billion from the current biennium.

The sales tax accounts for half the state’s general revenue.

Local governments will share $452.3 million of the December collections, which represent sales in November 2010.

Cities will receive $302.6 million, with $28.5 million going to counties.

Allocations also include $103.1 million to 10 local transit systems and $18.9 million to 175 special taxing districts.

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