Budget Battle in the House

The Budget battle is being waged, in earnest in Austin. Today in the House, all amendments to House Bill Four were voted down or withdrawn. It’s a supplemental appropriations measure that enacts one point five billion dollars in cuts and 650 million in spending. As lawmakers make more gains on closing that four billion dollar deficit, they will also vote on House Bill 275, which taps into the state’s rainy day fund. Representative Drew Darby co-authored both bills and expected them to pass.
Tomorrow, House members start debate on House Bill one, which is the two year budget bill. With 370 amendments, there likely will not be a vote until Saturday or Sunday.