AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst says he’s comfortable using some of the state’s Rainy Day Fund to balance the state budget.
Dewhurst, a Republican, has been criticized by conservative groups over the Senate budget plan. It spends about $3 billion from the fund in the next two-year budget. That’s money the House plan would not spend and Gov. Rick Perry opposes using.
In a statement Wednesday, Dewhurst encouraged lawmakers to keep looking for other sources of money. Dewhurst said he believes the state economy is improving.
Dewhurst told reporters on Tuesday he was surprised the Senate Finance Committee approved a budget using the Rainy Day Fund.
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