Early Saturday morning just after 4:00 AM the Texas House of Representatives unanimously approved a $178.4 billion budget for 2010-2011.
During the 18 hour budget marathon the House took up 225 amendments increased funding for both college financial aid and child healthcare coverage and managed to keep controversial legislation off the floor.
I appreciate the outstanding work of Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts Vice Chair Richard Raymond and all Members of the House of Representatives for passing a sound budget which is fiscally responsible and funds essential government services commented Texas House Speaker Joe Straus.
House Budget highlights:
- General revenue spending reduced by 2.5
- No dollars used from the states Rainy Day Fund
- Increased funding for education and healthcare
- Pay raises for workers in adult and youth correctional systems
- Federal stimulus dollars spent only on one-time expenditures
The House also responded to Governor Perrys rejection of the federal stimulus dollars. In March Perry formally announced he would reject some $555 million in stimulus funds earmarked for an expansion of the states unemployment programs.
The House amended the budget to say that if the state rejects those dollars money from the Governors Texas Enterprise Fund $136 million which is used to help attract new business to Texas will be used to pay for unemployment benefits.
Many believed House Republicans would defend the Governors move to reject the stimulus dollars. It seemed however that Rep. Pitts recent questioning of Perry staffers on the $50 million research grant awarded to Texas A&M along with the Governors controversial secession remarks caused House Republicans to shy away from a battle in Perrys defense.
The real winner of the night was Speaker Straus. Straus did not instruct Republicans on how to vote instead opting for a role of moderation and cooperation. The House functioned as a united body as members from both sides of the aisle worked side-by-side throughout the night.
The conference committee made up of five House members and five Senate members will ultimately finalize the budget followed by the signing of the Governor.
It will be interesting to see how both the Senate and Governor Perry respond to the House budget. House Senate members could draw a line in the sand over increased spending measures while Governor Perry could choose to veto the final budget.
Early Saturday morning just after 4:00 AM the Texas House of Representatives unanimously approved a $178.4 billion budget for 2010-2011.
During the 18 hour budget marathon the House took up 225 amendments increased funding for both college financial aid and child healthcare coverage and managed to keep controversial legislation off the floor.
I appreciate the outstanding work of Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts Vice Chair Richard Raymond and all Members of the House of Representatives for passing a sound budget which is fiscally responsible and funds essential government services commented Texas House Speaker Joe Straus.
House Budget highlights:
- General revenue spending reduced by 2.5
- No dollars used from the states Rainy Day Fund
- Increased funding for education and healthcare
- Pay raises for workers in adult and youth correctional systems
- Federal stimulus dollars spent only on one-time expenditures
The House also responded to Governor Perrys rejection of the federal stimulus dollars. In March Perry formally announced he would reject some $555 million in stimulus funds earmarked for an expansion of the states unemployment programs.
The House amended the budget to say that if the state rejects those dollars money from the Governors Texas Enterprise Fund $136 million which is used to help attract new business to Texas will be used to pay for unemployment benefits.
Many believed House Republicans would defend the Governors move to reject the stimulus dollars. It seemed however that Rep. Pitts recent questioning of Perry staffers on the $50 million research grant awarded to Texas A&M along with the Governors controversial secession remarks caused House Republicans to shy away from a battle in Perrys defense.
The real winner of the night was Speaker Straus. Straus did not instruct Republicans on how to vote instead opting for a role of moderation and cooperation. The House functioned as a united body as members from both sides of the aisle worked side-by-side throughout the night.
The conference committee made up of five House members and five Senate members will ultimately finalize the budget followed by the signing of the Governor.
It will be interesting to see how both the Senate and Governor Perry respond to the House budget. House Senate members could draw a line in the sand over increased spending measures while Governor Perry could choose to veto the final budget.
