How the numbers break down
In 2010, revenue of approximately $16,330,000 was collected from the sale of specialty license plates in Texas.
Out of the $16,330,00 total revenue, highway and general funds received about $10,811,000. Also, a private vendor firm, MyPlates.com, received $2,740,624 in commission. This leaves $2,779,000 for agencies and charities. Under HB 1 / SB 1278, this money for agencies and charities would be cut in half, while MyPlates.com would continue to receive its existing commission.
For 2010, the approximate breakdowns of beneficiaries from the charity plate are as follows:
- Scholarships: $515,000
- State Agencies: $618,000
- Grant and Non-profits: $1,463,200
- Municipalities: $181,700
The specialty plates provision in the appropriations bill will not balance the budget. Since agencies and charities only receive about $2,779,000, based on the 2010 statistics, and the bill proposes to take 50 of that revenue, the state would receive a little more than $1 million annually.
The state currently has a budget deficit of over $23,000,000,000. This money taken from agencies and charities would be a drop in the bucket.