By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-971304.mp3
Austin, TX – Senator Wendy Davis is firing back after Governor Rick Perry blamed her for forcing lawmakers into a special session because she wanted to make a statement. KERA's Shelley Kofler is at the state capitol and has this report.
Governor Perry didn't name Senator Davis but it was clear who he was talking about. Flanked by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House, Perry said Davis' Sunday filibuster prompted a special session that is costing the state time and money.
Perry: A lot of this work could have been finalized Monday yet a member of the Senate decided they wanted to make a statement. Regardless of what that statement was I disagree with it. We're back here expending extra dollars and taking people's time when we could have finished that work on Monday.
Davis says it's true. She was trying to make a statement when she filibustered and killed a school funding bill. It would have distributed some $4 billion less in state education money.
Davis: I'm trying to make a statement that cutting $4 billion in public education funds is funds unacceptable. But I did it with the support of my colleagues behind me who all agree we haven't done what we should be doing on behalf of the school children of Texas.
In addition to making a statement, Davis hopes the special session will provide an opportunity to reconsider school funding. She wants public hearings that include teachers.
Davis: The school teachers finish teaching at the end of this week. I am hopeful they will be here in the capitol next week demanding a different solution than the one that has been advanced.
A hearing on the education finance legislation could take place as early as this Thursday. Senate Education Chair Florence Shapiro of Plano says she believes the school funding legislation adopted by Republicans was responsible given the current economic situation. Shapiro says she doesn't expect any changes in that plan in the special session.