Texas Legislature Still Divided Over School Finance

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The Texas House has voted against a budget bill that slashes $4 billion from public education, throwing the special session into disarray a day before its expected conclusion.

The Senate passed the bill several hours earlier before adjourning and calling it quits on the session.

House Republicans hold a 101-49 majority and several members of the conservative wing joined Democrats to vote against the bill that is deemed necessary to balance the state budget. House Republicans have withdrawn into a private caucus meeting to decide their next step.

If they don’t pass the bill, Gov. Rick Perry is all but guaranteed to call lawmakers back into another 30-day special session to address the cuts.

Several Republicans from rural counties said the cuts are too deep for small school districts.

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