TX GOP Tells Agencies to Cut Immediately

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Texas Republican leaders are ordering most state agencies to cut their budgets to brace for a shortfall of up to $18 billion.

Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus announced Tuesday they had ordered the Legislative Budget Board to tell agencies to immediately implement the reductions, designed to save about $1.2 billion.

State agencies earlier were ordered to provide Texas leaders with recommendations on how to cut their budgets by 5 percent.

Certain programs involving homeland security, job training, emergency health care and student financial aid are exempt from the reductions.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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