AUSTIN (1080 KRLD) - The State House's marathon budget debate ended shortly after midnight. The budget bill HB1 passed unanimously after 124 amendments were attached to the $251-billion dollar spending plan. House Appropriations Chair John Zerwas authored the bill. "HB1 spends $116.5-billion dollars of general revenue which is under the Comptroller's biennial revenue estimate of $119.1-billion."
Public schools would make out significantly with an additional $9-billion dollars going into the Foundation School program (FSP). Zerwas said the money is contingent on the outcome of House Bill 3 (HB3…the House school finance overhaul bill). "It supports school districts and charter schools by increasing the State's share of the FSB, enhancing district entitlement, reducing recapture and providing local property tax relief while maintaining an equitable system of school finance."
State Representative Matt Shaheen of Collin County had four amendments adopted; one of which was a show of support for HB3. "The citizens of Texas will receive at least $2.7-billion dollars in property tax relief. This amendment shows that Chairman (Dan) Huberty's (House Public Education Chair) school finance reform bill is providing strong relief."
Anti-abortion groups also celebrated the passing of HB2. State Representative Matt Krause was successful in securing over $95 million dollars of funding for alternatives to abortion programs.
One of the most anticipated amendments came from Bedford Representative Jonathan Stickland. His failed amendment tried to end the state funded feral hog eradication program. Under a shroud of boos Stickland made his case. "We're wasting money. We're spending it on a program, paying people to kill feral hogs. I think people should take personal responsibility for their own land and stop asking government and people in urban areas who do not have a hog problem to subsidize it for them." Stickland's amendment was rejected by a vote of 4-139.
This bill is now headed to the State Senate.
