House Democrats can't dip into unspent money
House Democrats objected today to a calendar rule that will prohibit them from adding to overall spending during next week’s House debate of the budget.
Calendars Committee Chairwoman Beverly Woolley, R-Houston, and Appropriations Committee Chairman Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, said the rule is the same that has governed floor debate of budgets in previous sessions:
You can propose amendments to shift money around, but you can’t grow the budget.
Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, said Mr. Chisum’s committee left about $8.5 billion unspent, either in idle money or the state’s “rainy day fund” for emergencies and economic downturns.
By adopting the rule, Mr. Eiland said the House will have “locked in the amount that’s going to be spent” at $150.1 billion.
He noted, though, that a lucky five House members -- those chosen to work out differences with the Senate – will be able to accept a higher amount from the Senate. Or, they could try to obtain the House’s permission to go higher, Mr. Eiland noted.
Why not debate, now rather than later, spending a larger amount? he and other Democrats asked.
Rep. Joe Helfin, D-Crosbyton, asked about community colleges and retired teachers, who have gone for years without a cost of living increase.
Mr. Chisum said the budget puts $110 million of new money into community colleges. He said it significantly boosts the state’s contribution to retired teachers’ pension fund, though it’s not guaranteed they will receive a cost of living increment. If the fund earns 8 percent on its investments, retirees should get “a 13th check,” he said.
The House adopted the rule by a vote of 100-46.