Final answer:
The House Appropriations Committee is responsible for starting the work on the budget in the Texas House. They set spending targets and manage appropriation details before the House votes on the overall budget.
Step-by-step explanation:
The committee that begins the work on the budget in the Texas House is known as the House Appropriations Committee. This committee is tasked with setting the budget and determining specific appropriations for the state of Texas.
The budget process is initiated in the House of Representatives, where targets for discretionary spending are set based on the previous year's spending. Each House committee then determines the funding needed for their specific areas. After committees complete their portion of the budget, the House reconvenes to vote on the overall budget which then moves to the Senate for approval or amendments.
In summary, the House Appropriations Committee plays a critical role in shaping the budget by conducting in-depth reviews and making decisions on funding, which are then deferred to by other members of the House due to the established trust in the committee’s expertise.