573/14/2019
Shorter waits for driver’s licenses and money to put a new state mental hospital for Dallas back on the drawing board were among highlights of a two-year state budget that won tentative approval from a House panel. The University of Texas at Dallas’ favorite fund for jump-starting research at the state’s “emerging universities” also was a big winner, receiving more ongoing funding and a one-time infusion of money from the state's rainy-day fund — mostly generated by energy-production taxes — to cover a backlog of projects. The House’s budget package, which envisions tapping more than $5 billion in rainy-day, has other big winners, including retired teachers, state workers — and Texas children.