State Rep. John Zerwas, MD, (R-Richmond), proposed tapping into the state’s $10 billion Economic Stabilization Fund to pay for renovations at state mental health hospitals and living centers for disabled individuals. The proposal specifically allocates $50 million to expand bed capacity at the state’s mental health hospitals and mental health community hospitals, according to the report.
The proposal would also partly retract a contested decision in 2015 to cut $350 million in funding to a disabled children’s therapy program.
In addition to health services, Rep. Zerwas proposed using part of the $1.4 billion toward raises for Child Protective Services employees, according to the report.
“Using a small portion of the Economic Stabilization Fund, combined with spending reductions, is the responsible way for us to close out the current budget cycle and respond to the slowdown in our economy,” said Rep. Zerwas in a statement to The Texas Tribune.
The proposals are part of a supplemental budget to address holes left in the state’s 2015 budget.
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