AUSTIN (AP) – Gov. Rick Perry says a booming Texas economy and rosier state revenue picture should allow lawmakers to cut taxes.

Addressing the state Senate during Tuesday’s opening day of the Texas Legislature, Perry said lawmakers should continue limiting the size of government and “take a look at tax relief.”

His comments came a day after Comptroller Susan Combs said Texas would have $96.2 billion in estimated new revenue.

That was a sharp contrast from a far weaker 2011 prediction, when a sluggish economy exacerbated a $27 billion shortfall that triggered deep spending cuts.

Perry said some called for raising taxes two years ago and would do so again.

But he said Texas chose “the fiscally conservative path, and that is the path that has brought us to where we are today.”

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