Lawmakers reach deal on state budget
AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers reached a deal Friday on a two-year spending plan that would restore $3.93 billion to public schools and clear the way for taking $2 billion from the state’s rainy day fund for water projects, the leader of House Democrats said.
Republicans needed Democratic votes to set up the State Water Infrastructure Fund, but the minority party wanted to boost spending on public education by $4 billion. The Republican-controlled Legislature cut $5.4 billion from schools in 2011.
“We have a tentative commitment that we have a deal,” Davis said. “I think people are pleased. They’ve been working very hard to forge relationships and do some good for Texas.”
In the deal, the state would add $3.4 billion to public education spending and put $530 million toward schools’ contribution to the Teacher Retirement System. All of the money would be in the Foundation School Program, and therefore exempt from a line item veto by Gov. Rick Perry, Davis said. But the House and Senate must still vote on the measure.
More at http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/state-politics/20130517-ap-source-lawmakers-reach-deal-on-state-budget.ece .
[font color=green]Note that the reporters failed to provide the first name of the leader of House Democrats. There are three representatives in the Texas House with the surname of Davis. This might explain why there aren't enough Democrats with name recognition when it comes to the ballot box.[/font]
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