AUSTIN - Texas House and Senate negotiators have reached a compromise on almost all parts of the next two-year state budget, leaving the biggest chunk of spending education left to be solved.
Lawmakers need to reach an agreement on the spending plan before the session adjourns on May 30. The votes late Monday showed significant progress, though much work remains. Spending on education, particularly public school funding formulas, could push the Legislature into a special session over the summer.
Sen. Steve Ogden, the Senates lead budget writer, said he hopes an agreement on education can be reached by the end of the week. But legislation on how to rework the funding formulas appears to have stalled. Other legislation that could impact the amount of money available to spend is scheduled for consideration this week.
Budget analysts said the agreement reached Monday makes improvements to Medicaid provider reimbursements, including those to nursing homes, but is short by almost $5 billion to fund projected growth in Medicaid.
The compromise covered dozens of aspects of state government, including funding for roads, courts, prisons and foster care.
It was unclear how much would be spent in the agreement because, we havent added it up yet, Rep. Jim Pitts, the House budget leader, said shortly after the committee adjourned.
Mondays meeting was the first public meeting of the 10-member panel, which includes two Democrats.
Similar Posts:
- Teachers rally once more to save school spending
- Education Advocates Rally Outside House Chamber
- State Teachers Group Backs Bill To Use Rainy Day Fund
- Texas Education Agency To Lay Off 178 Employees
- Carstarphen: Next year is going to be just as bad
