SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET BILL CO-AUTHORED BY KOLKHORST PASSES STATE SENATE

  

The Texas Senate has passed legislation providing over $6 billion in supplemental funding that addresses hurricane recovery and school safety.

Senate Bill 500, which was co-authored by Senator Lois Kolkhorst, provides more than $3 billion for Harvey-related expenses, $100 million for school safety improvements, $300 million for state hospital facilities, and $542 million to the Teacher Retirement System.

In addition, $100 million was allocated to refill the Governor’s Disaster Fund, which had been depleted by Hurricane Harvey.

The bill also funds the rebuilding of the UT Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, with $14.8 million dedicated to the facility.

Kolkhorst said the bill was unanimously passed because issues like hurricane relief, school safety and retired teachers are not partisan issues, but rather people issues that affect every Texan.  She said this legislation will support retired teachers across the state, help keep schools safe, and lets those that were impacted by Hurricane Harvey know they will not be forgotten.

Senate Bill 500 will now go to the state House of Representatives for consideration.