Budget Recap: House Democrats Successfully Fought to Put Texas Kids and Families First
House Democrats succeeded in making the House version of the budget better. Led by Rep. Sergio Muñoz and Rep. Ina Minjarez, House Democrats successfully added more money to Child Protective Services and foster care and Rep. Muñoz added an additional $21.5 million towards reversing the cuts made to acute therapy services for kids. Rep. Garnet Coleman secured vital funding for mental health crisis services.
Additionally, Rep. Abel Herrero led the successful passage of an anti-voucher amendment, sending a clear message to Governor Abbott and the Texas Senate that we want more funding for our local public schools, and that voucher schemes are going nowhere in the Texas House. This was on top of the already important efforts of Democrats on the Appropriations Committee who worked tirelessly to increase funding for student financial aid.
As with every state budget, with the good also comes the bad. At the end of the debate, after Democrats successfully killed an attempt to gut the Texas Dream Act, House Republicans succeeded in passing one of several anti-women’s health measures they had proposed. Sadly, this was no surprise, as Republicans have conducted an all-out assault on women’s health for years.
Democrats brought forth several amendments to increase funding for family planning services and to stop wasting money on ineffective, so-called crisis pregnancy centers. It’s low-income, rural and minority women who are paying the ultimate price for these tactics. House Democrats will continue to fight for access to needed health care for all Texans.
