State Comptroller Susan Combs says Texas revenue will drop about $9 billion in the next two-year spending cycle.
The grim news came in an announcement today, the day before lawmakers convene in Austin for this year's legislative session.
The revenue estimate covers the 2010-2011 fiscal years and is based mostly on sales tax forecasts.
There was one bright spot: Combs says the figure does not include the $6.7 billion in the state's "rainy day fund."
That's the most money ever in that fund.
