The end of the state legislature’s special session means the end of the line for the chance of billions of dollars of new buildings at state universities. Governor Perry did not add House Bill 5 to the special session agenda. The measure, addressing tuition revenue bonds, would have paid for $1.5 billion dollars of new construction in the A&M and University of Texas systems.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The Texas Legislature has adjourned, ending the third special session of the year after passing a major transportation measure.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus declared the session over late Monday after lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment that would boost transportation spending by about $1.2 billion per year. The money would come from oil and gas revenues diverted away from the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
Lawmakers agreed to a deal that would put the amendment in front of voters in 2014 and require the Legislature to set a minimum balance for the Rainy Day Fund every two years. Conservatives had hoped to set the minimum balance in the Texas Constitution.
The measure falls short of the $4 billion a year experts say the state needs for roads.