Statutory and constitutional limits on government spending are good. But some limits are not as good as others.

Texas has had a measure since 1978, yet one official with the legislative budget board has called it "starting point, a guide - not a limitation."

The effect of that kind of thinking, and the weak form that the limit takes? Government spending increases at an unsustainable rate:

State spending has grown 500 percent since 1978, when the amendment was adopted, but actual personal income (versus the “projected” calculations used by lawmakers) has grown just 400 percent. The sum of population and inflation growth? About 280 percent.

A lawsuit in the works may have some effect. Or not.