Texas Senate Tentatively Passes State Budget

AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas Senate has tentatively approved $176.5 billion state budget for the next two years.

Normally a two-thirds majority is necessary in the chamber to begin debate on a bill. But on a special rule for House bills on Wednesdays, Republicans brought up the spending plan without Democratic support with only a simple majority.

They then quickly approved the budget on a 19-12 vote. The budget faces one more vote before it is given final Senate approval.

Senate Democrats had hoped to use the two-thirds rule to win compromises in the bill.

Sen. Steve Ogden stripped a contentious plan to use money from the Rainy Day Fund to win support from the Senate GOP.

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