Sen. Ogden: Is he the budget magician?

What a difference three weeks make …

“The way we’re going, that’s not the only agency that’s going to be underfunded come 2013.” – Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, while debating Senate Bill 1, the state budget for the next two years. He was talking as chair of Senate Finance Conference Committee to Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, on May 3 on fears for the bankruptcy of the Crime Victim Compensation Fund.

“In many areas, it addresses problems that the state has needed addressed for a long time. It’s still balanced, the state can afford it and I hope people vote for it.” – Ogden on SB1, May 25.

So, has Ogden mystically solved the budget? Find out when the final version of SB 1 comes to a vote near you before sine die.

This article appears in May 25 • 2007.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.