AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The House has voted to slash Texas public school funding by $4 billion.
Voting largely along party lines, lawmakers approved the cuts Sunday on a 84-63 vote in the Republican-controlled House. The Senate was still debating the bill late Sunday night.
The measure will cut funds to all school districts by about 6% in the first year and rewrites school funding formulas from 2013 to 2017.
Republicans said the cuts were necessary to balance the budget, though Democrats wanted to use money from the state's Rainy Day Fund.
Only 15 Republicans voted against the plan, most of them from rural areas.
Earlier Sunday, Gov. Rick Perry had warned lawmakers that if they didn't finish the key piece of legislation, he would immediately call them back into special session.
The Locust Grove Volunteer Fire Department along with local residents and ranchers are working to help those who have lost it all in Oklahoma.
The Locust Grove Volunteer Fire Department along with local residents and ranchers are working to help those who have lost it all in Oklahoma.
As wildfire season continues to blaze on, one area city is taking steps to reduce the potential threat of blazes.
As wildfire season continues to blaze on, one area city is taking steps to reduce the potential threat of blazes.
For only the second time in 6 months rain is expected to fall in the Panhandle, helping to decrease the critical fire danger.
For only the second time in 6 months rain is expected to fall in the Panhandle, helping to decrease the critical fire danger.
Inside a church in Barrio, two pastors are hard at work with a vision for change.
Inside a church in Barrio, two pastors are hard at work with a vision for change.
The Portales Police Department and Major Crime Unit are currently investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday, April 19.
The Portales Police Department and Major Crime Unit are currently investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday, April 19.