The top local stories this morning from KERA News: Just days before the legislative session is set to end Monday, House and Senate budget leaders say negotiators have finalized a $217 billion state budget deal.
The state’s troubled foster care system will get more money, as will mental health services and highway construction. The budget also adds $25 million in grants for police armor. However, there’s no new money for public schools, and the budget leaves $11 billion unspent.
A final vote on the budget bill will likely be tomorrow.
Other stories this morning:
- There’s still a possibility of the Legislature going into a special session. Sen. Konni Burton (R-Colleyville) and Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) talked to the Texas Tribune whether property tax reform could pass without one.
- After many twists and turns, a bill to fix the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System is headed to the Governor’s desk.
- SB 4 is one of the most controversial pieces of legislation to come out of Austin this session. The Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund (MALDEF) is ready to fight it before it takes effect in September.
You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM.
