(Austin) — Texas Comptroller Susan Combs today announced state sales tax revenue in February totaled $1.79 billion, up 8.8 percent compared to February 2007.

“For the first half of fiscal 2008, state sales tax collections are up 7.1 percent over fiscal 2007,” Combs said. “Although growth is slower than the two previous fiscal years, increases in state sales tax revenues continue at a steady pace.”

Combs delivered $436.1 million in March sales tax payments to Texas cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts, a 9.9 percent increase compared to March 2007. So far this calendar year, local sales tax allocations are up 7.1 percent compared to the first three months of 2007.

State sales tax revenue for February and March payments made to local governments today primarily represent sales that occurred in January.

Comptroller Combs sent March sales tax payments of $293.2 million to Texas cities, up 9.2 percent compared to March 2007. Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax allocations are running 6.8 percent higher than last year. Texas counties received sales tax payments of $26.8 million, up 10.5 percent compared to one year ago. Calendar year-to-date, county sales tax allocations are 7.2 percent higher than last year.

The 126 special purpose taxing districts around the state received $14.2 million in sales tax revenue, up 20.1 percent compared to last March. Ten local transit systems received $101.7 million, up 10.6 percent.

For details of March sales tax payments to individual cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts, locate the Monthly Sales and Use Tax Allocation Comparison Summary Reports on the Comptroller’s Web site at www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/allocsum/compsum.html. The Comptroller’s next sales tax allocation will be made on Friday, April 11.