Senate Budget Inches Forward

Submitted by Andrea Earl on Wed, 05/04/2011 - 1:46pm

 

UPDATE- 5:40 PM- 

Today, May 4, the Senate passed the budget by a vote of 19-12. The bill will now move to conference committee. As it stands now CSHB 1 removes $3 billion of Economic Stabilization (“Rainy Day”) Fund money from the bill, moves a $1.25 billion Medicaid payment into 2013 and enacts 1.2% cuts to all agencies besides the Foundation School Program. 

The Senate's version of the bill now spends $5 billion more in state funds than the House version. Senator Ogden promises to fight for the bill in committee while several Senators have pledged to fight against it. Senators opposing the bill raised issue with the magnitude of cuts being made to education, health care and social services. 

Senators want to characterize their budget as "better than the House budget." This is wishful thinking. The Senate budget results in most of the same draconian cuts as in the House budget, and is still inadequate for Texas.

 

 

UPDATE - 5:34 PM -

The Senate passes CSHB 1 to engrossment with a vote of 19 for to 12 against. See Sen. Ogden's closing remarks below.

 

 

UPDATE - 5:00 PM -

Senators are offering closing remarks on CSHB 1. Watch some of those remarks below:

Sen. Lucio

Sen. Ellis

 

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