July 22, 2015 3:02 PM

Speaker says LBB director was acting under direction of Lite Guv and Speaker when she rebutted Abbott line item vetoes

“In light of legislators' questions, Comptroller Hegar requested a written analysis, and staff from the Speaker's office and the Lieutenant Governor's office together instructed the staff of the budget board to provide him one," Straus' spokesman said

Following Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's comments blasting the director of the Legislative Budget Board for her critique of Gov. Greg Abbott's line item vetoes, a spokesman for Speaker Joe Straus said Ursula Parks was acting under Patrick and Straus' direction.

"Legislators have voiced concerns about whether the authority used to make some vetoes this year was consistent with precedent and prior Attorney General opinions," said Jason Embry, spokesman for Straus.

"In light of legislators' questions, Comptroller Hegar requested a written analysis, and staff from the Speaker's office and the Lieutenant Governor's office together instructed the staff of the budget board to provide him one. The House will continue to work with the Senate, the Comptroller and Governor to resolve this matter and will take an extensive look at this issue between now and the next legislative session."

By Scott Braddock