Are there any reasons to think that the speculative number will be off by more than a billion or two? If the real deficit is actually 23 or 27 billion, I don't think that really affects the comparison too much.
('Oh, Texas's deficit is actually $24.23 billion and not $24.24 billion? Well, obviously that invalidates all the comparisons to California! Let's discuss something else.')
People seem to be getting a bit heated on this topic. I was just trying to point out that the number was an estimate, and that it was for a two year period. If we take a low-high range of $23 - 27B, then that is $11.5 - 13.5B/year, which is significantly different than the $25B that is being implied for a one year budget.
Personally, I think all the California vs. Texas debates are a childish extension of blue state vs. red state political bickering. Nobody in the US is better off if either state has financial problems.
('Oh, Texas's deficit is actually $24.23 billion and not $24.24 billion? Well, obviously that invalidates all the comparisons to California! Let's discuss something else.')