May 27, 2017      6:12 PM
Updated: Texas House gives final passage to the budget on a vote of 135 to 14
“We’re keeping overall spending low while improving child protection and mental health care,” said Speaker Straus
After
starting out the session with a large shortfall – brought on in part by the tax
cutting of the 2015 session coupled with a downturn in the economy generally and
in the energy sector specifically – the Texas House on Saturday passed a
budget that balances but leaves some of the most vulnerable Texans in the
lurch.
“We’re
keeping overall spending low while improving child protection and mental health
care,” said Speaker Joe Straus.
Noting
that Gov. Greg Abbott made it a priority
to improve Child Protective Services and the state’s foster care system,
Straus’ office noted that this budget includes an additional $508 million for
child protection.
By Scott Braddock
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