House plugs big shortfall in retired Texas teacher fund
A massive looming shortfall in Texas’ health insurance program for retired teachers is getting plugged through an emergency spending bill moving toward the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott.
The Texas House on Wednesday put $768 million in the nearly broke Texas Retirement System of Texas. The program provides health benefits to roughly 225,000 retired educators and their dependents.
The crumbling Texas School for the Deaf is also getting $11 million to begin patching up years of neglected upkeep. The Austin school was nearly shut down by a rat infestation and fire safety problems.
The House unanimously passed the emergency spending items with no fuss.
Lawmakers had wearily returned to the Capitol following an 18-hour debate over the next state budget.
