Gina Hinojosa Proposes $1,500 Checks for Every Texas Household in New Economic Plan
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa has unveiled a new economic proposal that would send a one-time $1,500 payment to every Texas household if she is elected governor, calling the initiative a “Corruption Tax Refund.”
The proposal is part of Hinojosa’s statewide “Money in Your Pocket” campaign tour and centers on using money from Texas’ Economic Stabilization Fund, commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund, to provide direct financial relief to residents facing higher costs for groceries, housing, healthcare and fuel.
According to Hinojosa’s campaign, the proposal would cost an estimated $17 billion and would leave approximately $10 billion in reserve for future emergencies. Her campaign argues the Rainy Day Fund has grown significantly over the past decade and is projected to continue increasing by billions of dollars annually.
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Affordability Takes Center Stage
Hinojosa said she would declare Texas’ affordability crisis an emergency on her first day in office and ask the Legislature to approve the one-time payments when lawmakers convene.
“Texans are struggling to take care of the basics,” Hinojosa said while launching the proposal during a campaign stop at a Houston grocery store. She argues the state has accumulated billions in reserves while many families continue to face rising living expenses.
Her campaign says the payments would be funded without raising taxes by drawing from existing state savings.
Criticism of Abbott Administration
The proposal also serves as a political contrast with incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott.
Hinojosa has accused Abbott of allowing the state’s savings account to grow while benefiting political donors and large corporations instead of providing direct relief to Texans. She argues returning a portion of the state’s reserves to taxpayers would stimulate the economy and help families manage everyday expenses.
Her campaign estimates Texas’ Economic Stabilization Fund has grown from roughly $10 billion several years ago to approximately $27 billion by the end of the current fiscal year.
Legislative Approval Required
Even if elected, Hinojosa could not implement the proposal on her own. The one-time payments would require approval by the Texas Legislature, which controls appropriations from the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
Her campaign maintains the proposal could attract bipartisan support because it would provide direct financial assistance to households across Texas while maintaining a substantial emergency reserve.
The proposal is expected to become one of the central economic issues in the 2026 Texas governor’s race as candidates continue outlining competing plans to address affordability, inflation and the state’s growing budget surplus.
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