By KRWG News
Texas – A deal reached on how to pay for Texas' health and human services programs puts off paying the bill to 2013.
In a deal reached this week, a conference committee made up of House and Senate lawmakers decided not to fund the expected growth in Medicaid. Budget experts warned that could mean a $4.8 billion deficit when the Legislature meets again in two years. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst says he hopes reforms passed this year will bring that number down.
But he says lawmakers should preserve at least half the state's $9.4 billion Rainy Day Fund in case there is a deficit in 2013.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.