what about a projected budget shortfall?

Medina - "the new kid gets the toughest question of the night". Proposes eliminating property taxes and going to a broad-based sales tax, which will grow prosperity and look for accountability. Opposes raising taxes. But doesn't want to tax food and medicine.

Hutchison - claims we'll have a $17 billion deficit. Blames TX for taking stimulus money, $4 billion in recurring costs. Consolidate some state agencies. TXDOT lost $1 billion in an accounting error.

Perry - we've cut the budget. In 2003, handled a $10 billion budget deficit. Told Hutchison that she's voted to raise the debtlimit in DC and voted for 95% of the federal budgets. Said Hutchison is criticizing R's in TX.