House debates funds for lobbyists, buildings and elderly

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House debates funds for lobbyists, buildings and elderly

Luna says she doesn't like cuts, but options are few with $9.9 billion gap

By Ty Meighan

Corpus Christi Caller-Times April 16, 2003

AUSTIN - An ongoing budget debate has caused a major partisan rift in the House as many Democrats urge lawmakers to increase funding, while Republicans and other supporters keep their pledge to cut programs instead of raising taxes.

Added to the mix are some Democrats who have been appointed by the Republican leadership to key committee positions and are defending the deep budget cuts.

State Rep. Vilma Luna, D-Corpus Christi, has often been at odds with members of her own party because of her role as vice chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee. Luna played a vital role in devising the budget and is among those defending it on the House floor.

Driving the debate is the state's $9.9 billion budget shortfall, which includes $1.8 billion for the remainder of this fiscal year and $8.1 billion for fiscal year 2004-05. To fill the gap, lawmakers have proposed a $58.6 billion budget that calls for significant cuts to state government, including education and various health care programs.

This session is unusual because state lawmakers normally have a surplus and are able to fund a wide range of programs.

"We do not have enough revenue to cover the basic needs for the people of Texas," said state Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, on the House floor. "We will be debating a spending bill, but the real debate we need to have is about revenue."

Luna and others say they don't like the cuts but have little choice given the financial situation.

"Many of the things we're having to do are painful," Luna told House members.

Republicans hold a majority in the House for the first time in 130 years. The GOP also controls the Senate and the governorship. Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and House Speaker Tom Craddick have vowed to make up the budget shortfall with cuts instead of tax increases.

Wants versus needs

During the House budget debate, a core group of Democrats has proposed dozens of amendments in an effort to restore funding to various programs. Republicans and their supporters have defeated most of the amendments.

"I'm beginning to get the hint," said state Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, after lawmakers tabled one of his amendments.

Democrats have shaped the budget debate as wants versus needs. They claim Republicans are funding wants, while the state's most needy citizens are being denied services.

"I don't find any money in this budget to fund things that we just want to do," said state Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston.

At one point Tuesday, the debate centered on funding for historical buildings versus money for disabled Texans.

"Let's open up our hearts," said state Rep. Paul Moreno, D-El Paso, who uses a wheelchair. "Don't be cruel."

A major point of contention between lawmakers has been a governor-supported proposal to use millions from the state's Rainy Day Fund to finance a fund that Perry says is needed to help the state attract companies that want to relocate in Texas.

On Monday, after heated debate that went late into the night, the House approved $295 million for the governor's Texas Enterprise Fund. Democrats were outraged, saying the money should instead be used for the needy, elderly, teachers and schoolchildren.

"We're keeping money in the governor's slush fund at the expense of kids and that's wrong," Burnam said.

Amendments tabled

Democrats also point out that lawmakers tabled an amendment that would have saved $60,000 between now and the end of the fiscal year in August. The amendment would have reduced the budget for the Office of State and Federal Relations, which hired a Washington lobbyist for $15,000 a month.

"I think we have enough lobbyists in D.C.," said state Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, who is one of the most vocal critics opposing the cuts. "Five hundred dollars a day will deliver a lot of meals on wheels."

An official with the Texas Republican Party said the Democrats are simply trying to prohibit lawmakers from implementing sound policies.

"By constantly attempting to delay, dilute and deny the people of Texas the policies they have mandated, Democrats have chosen not to be statesmen, but little more than a party of bitter obstructionists," said Susan Weddington, chairwoman of the Republican Party of Texas.