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House Democrats refuse to vote to rearrange funding

Democrats are taking a new tack in the budget debate.

Some are voting "present not voting" on efforts by the Republican majority to reshuffle money between various programs.

Rep. Sylvester Turner railed against an effort to take money from family planning services for the poor to give to mental health services for children.

"I will not be put in the position of choosing from one need to another when we are underfunding them both," Turner said. "If we were not willing to pull from the Rainy Day to meet the needs of these children and elderly folks, I will not be caught trying to decide if I should fund child one or child two."

Copyright 2011 Associated Press, All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Texans stage dramatic protests as HB 1 debate continues

As House lawmakers debated inside, people outside the Capitol used everything from cardboard signs to caskets to make sure their voices were heard.

A mock funeral took place earlier in the day as caskets symbolizing cuts to funding for things like education and health services were brought forward.

Various prayer vigils also took place throughout the Capitol Friday as groups opposed to the proposed budget asked lawmakers to use more of the Rainy Day Fund and look at new revenue sources.

Meanwhile, much of the debate inside the dome centered around just where to make the cuts.

"Solomon is what they're talking about now — cutting the baby down the middle. These are false choices we're having to make, because we need both," Democratic Rep. Donna Howard said.

The current Senate budget is about $10 billion bigger than the House’s, and lawmakers say they expect to stay through the night to get it passed.

Texas House cuts funding for family planning

One Republican amendment, by Rep. Randy Weber, would take about $7 million from family planning services for needy families and redirect the money to programs intended to provide alternatives to abortion. It was approved by a 100-44 vote along party lines.

Another amendment, by Republican Rep. Wayne Christian, would take $6.6 million away from the family planning program to pay for services for children with Autism. It was approved by a 106-34 vote.

Democrats railed against taking money from the family planning program, which also provides cancer screening and other routine health care for women and children. Critics called the efforts counterproductive and warning of future cost increases to the state.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press, All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.