Discussions Under Way on Federal Stimulus

The federal government's massive stimulus package includes $16.9 billion available to the State of Texas. Now the Legislature must consider if and how much of these funds it will accept. "We are in the process of reviewing the stimulus and determining what kind of strings are attached to these funds. Philosophically, I do not think Texas should help the federal government go deeper into debt. Nor do I want these dollars -- which come from the pockets of Texas taxpayers -- going to states that have run up enormous deficits," Senator Nelson said.