04.21.09
Maldondao is proud of fiscally responsible budget
Press release from Rep. Diana Maldonado (D-Round Rock) budget passing the Texas House:
Rep. Maldonado Supports Passage of State Budget
Unanimous Vote Comes After 17 Hours of DebateFor Immediate Release: April 21, 2009
Contact: Jon Niven 512.463.0670
Austin –State Representative Diana Maldonado (HD-52) of Round Rock backed the bipartisan appropriations bill for Texas’ 2010-2011 biennium which passed the House unanimously by a vote of 149-0. After more than 450 amendments were filed and 17 hours of debate, members of the Texas House of Representatives passed the bill to set the state’s spending for the next two years.
“I was proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass a fiscally responsible budget that makes much-needed budget cuts while maintaining necessary services for Texans,” said Maldonado. “By reducing our state’s general revenue spending and not dipping into our state’s Rainy Day Fund, we have positioned ourselves to weather the current economic downfall and started to plan ahead for our future.”
Senate Bill 1, the state’s 2010-2011 appropriations bill as amended by the House, reduces general revenue spending by 2.5 percent compared to the last biennial budget. The $178 billion bill consists of nearly $80 billion in General Revenue funds and about $11 billion in federal stimulus funds.
The appropriations bill also includes new money for mental health and counseling services for veterans, a thirteenth check for retired teachers , and a pay raise for correctional officers.
Maldonado sits on the House Committee on State Affairs and the Committee on Defense and Veterans’ Affairs. She is serving her first term in the Texas House of Representatives and represents House District 52 which encompasses a portion of Williamson County, including Round Rock, Taylor, Hutto, Thrall, Coupland and part of Georgetown and Austin.