As budget writers enter the home stretch, Gov. Rick Perry is seeking millions more from the Texas Legislature -- about $900 million -- for various projects, including two funds that have faced legislative scrutiny.
Perry is seeking to allocate $150 million of that money between two discretionary funds under his control: the Texas Enterprise Fund
and the Emerging Technology Fund.
House budget writers have denied any new dollars for the two funds, partially over a political fight that arose after Perry refused to accept $550 million in unemployment insurance funds as part of the federal stimulus package.
Also, key lawmakers in the state budget writing process felt the balances in the funds were substantial enough without additional money.
With waning support for his shopping list in the House, it appears Perry has gone shopping elsewhere -- in the Texas Senate where he's trying to persuade lawmakers there to change the budget.
The Texas Enterprise Fund is one of Perry's discretionary funds to give grants to businesses to attract them to Texas or help to expand existing businesses in Texas.
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Perry Seeks Money
Gov. Rick Perry speaks with News 8's Catie Beck about the nearly $150 million he is asking the Texas Legislature for.
 
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The Emerging Technology Fund is the second of the governor's discretionary funds used to invest in developing technology in Texas. That fund became a political lightning rod earlier is the legislative session when it was learned the fund was being used to help establish a biomedical research facility at his alma mater, Texas A&M University, with little legislative oversight.
The governor told News 8 Austin that he is asking Senate budget writers to appropriate about $140 million into the two funds in this year's budget.
House budget writers said the Enterprise Fund has a nearly $200 million balance and the Emerging Technology Fund has nearly a $100 million balance. They said during these tough economic times it was a prudent decision to not put any new money into the funds.
Perry disagreed Thursday and said, "If the members of the legislature say, 'No we are not interested in those,' and say 'No, let's let Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico be competitive in those,' I don't think that's the Texas way. Money will be there at the end of the day."
Perry is confident the legislature will see the need to remain competitive and grant his request.
But back in the House, lawmakers have attached a provision in their budget that would zero-out the Enterprise Fund if Perry continues to reject federal stimulus money to fund unemployment benefits.
