Questions: Why must the Texas legislature maintain a balanced budget? a) The Texas Office of the Comptroller writes the state budget. b) It is required by the U.S. Constitution. c) Each legislative session decides to balance or not balance the state budget. d) It is required by the Texas Constitution.

The answer is d) It is required by the Texas Constitution.

This option is incorrect. The Texas Office of the Comptroller does not write the state budget; rather, it provides revenue estimates and certifies that the budget passed by the legislature is balanced.

This option is incorrect. The U.S. Constitution does not require states to maintain a balanced budget. Budgetary requirements are typically determined by state constitutions or laws.

This option is incorrect. The decision to maintain a balanced budget is not left to each legislative session's discretion. It is a constitutional requirement.

This option is correct. The Texas Constitution mandates that the state legislature must pass a balanced budget, ensuring that expenditures do not exceed available revenues. This requirement is intended to maintain fiscal responsibility and prevent deficit spending.