I was the first journalist in the state to report Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that Texas has an extra $20 billion budget surplus to spend.

Now I’m going to be the first opinion columnist to suggest how the governor and state lawmakers should spend it.

For more than a decade, I’ve been one of the leading exposers of the unfair property appraisal/property tax scheme we must endure. I even launched a campaign whose motto was “Everybody file a protest.”

I often meet readers who say that when I explained the process, “You helped me save on our property tax.” Money in your pocket.

But now The Watchdog is shifting priorities. Now it’s time to pay those bills for which state leaders kick the can, as they say, down the road.

Spend $25 billion

Gov. Abbott promised to use the surplus to bring more property tax relief to homeowners.

To which I ask, what about renters and people with disabilities and schools and kids and more?

Besides, when budget-writing time comes a year from now, it’s likely not going to be a $20 billion surplus. With a year to go, let’s pretend that the actual surplus will be $25 billion. For comparison, last year’s surplus was $32 billion, and $18 billion went to property tax relief.

I’m going to pretend that I have $25 billion. How will I spend it?

Schools: Teachers need a pay raise. Schools need more money for campus guards. Special education is seriously underfunded. And the state hasn’t boosted the allotment for students in years. Education is almost half the state budget.

Kevin Brown, executive director of the Texas Association of School Administrators, is worried about the state’s commitment to public education. With sadness, he told me, “We have decided we are not going to try to compete with the rest of the country when it comes to education.”

He asks for $10 billion, but I’m no pushover. He gets $9 billion.

Renters: If there are 4 million renters, I’d like each to get a $200 check. Why should homeowners have all the fun? Cost: $800 million.

Medicaid for schools. I previously reported this likely loss of funding. Go with $300 million to settle up.

Electricity grid: Uh, duh. Lower prices and improve reliability. $500 million

Expand Medicaid: Texas is one of the few states that refuses to expand Medicaid in return for federal dollars. Plus, we have the most uninsured residents. I don’t know how much that will cost, so let’s go with $1 billion. (Doesn’t this remind you of a game show?)

I asked the Texas Department of Health and Human Services for guidance, but spokesman Jose Araiza referred me to the governor’s office, which did not respond.

Prisons: To install air conditioning (not only for inmates but staff, too.) $750 million.

Group homes: Homes are closing at an alarming rate. Need to raise salaries of workers to at least $15 an hour, says Sandy Frizzell Batton, executive director of Providers Alliance for Community Services of Texas. Her ask: $400 million.

Foster children: Kids need legal representation. Tara Grigg Green, executive director of the Foster Care Advocacy Center, says it’s possible to give legal help to every foster child in the state for $75 million.

Sell off gas and electricity bonds. We will be paying 2021 storm fees for decades on our utility bills. The bonds don’t come due for decades. Get rid of them. $6 billion.

The Watchdog previously revealed: An added phone charge designed to pay a $210 million bill that the state has refused to pay and passed down to us. This backlog of debt is owed to rural telephone companies and phone co-ops. $210 million.

What’s left?

Property taxes: Because I’m not a party pooper, take the remainder for property tax relief. Not as great as the previous year, but let’s keep the downward trend going. Approximately $6 billion remains for tax relief.

There you have it. Watchdog Nation’s first stab at the hunk of burning money.

Do you have funding ideas of your own? The Watchdog would like to hear them. My email is watchdog@dallasnews.com.