AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A House committee has approved a $3 billion plan to help state agencies meet higher-than-expected costs in the remaining months of the fiscal year.
By a unanimous vote Monday, the House Appropriations Committee adopted the plan, which includes $1.6 billion in federal stimulus money to help the state cover rising Medicaid costs.
The measure, which is expected to go before the full House next week, also would pay for costs associated with Hurricane Ike and the restoration of the Governor’s Mansion.
The supplemental budget is intended to augment the regular 2008-2009 budget, which funds state programs through Sept. 1. Lawmakers also are working on the next two-year budget, which is expected to total about $180 billion.