Texas Comptroller Certifies $182 Billion Budget

The budget includes $12.1 billion in stimulus money.

Most of the budget's money is dedicated to education and health care. The massive spending plan increases funding for pre-kindergarten programs, makes it possible for 35,0000 more eligible students to receive college tuition help from the TEXAS Grants financial aid program and gives correctional officers a 3.5 percent raise.

Perry has line-item veto power over the budget and has until June 21 to review the 900-plus page document crafted by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The budget leaves an estimated $9 billion balance in the state's so-called Rainy Day Fund, a savings account that may be desperately needed when Texas legislators convene again for a regular session in 2011. Perry has praised lawmakers for leaving that money alone.

Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle said Monday the governor is pleased the comptroller certified a budget that "provided a tax cut to 40,000 small businesses and increased financial aid for college students by more than 40 percent." She also said the budget cut state general revenue spending by $1.6 billion.