AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the final passage of House Bill 1, the State Budget:

“This state budget we passed today prioritizes property tax relief and education, including increasing teacher pay while addressing many other issues, including keeping our students safer, increasing disaster preparedness, rebuilding our communities following Hurricane Harvey, improving our roads and infrastructure, and preserving our historic sites and state parks, just to name a few. This is a responsible, yet compassionate budget that maintains our state’s sound fiscal position while making a significant investment in Texas’ future.

“I am extremely proud of the work of Senate Finance Chair, Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, who addressed the numerous budget challenges we faced this biennium and still managed to bring this budget within the Constitutional Spending Limit, the ‘pay-as-you-go’ limit and the population times inflation limit. This budget will ensure that Texas’ economy continues to be a leader in the nation and a force in the world.”