Texas lawmakers adjourn, but shutdown not averted

[June 02, 2009]  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The Texas Legislature has adjourned its regular session without passing key measures to avert a shutdown of state agencies.

The sticking point was $2 billion in transportation bond funding that the House failed to pass before gaveling out the session a few hours before the Senate adjourned Monday night.

Angry Republican senators said it was preferable to quit and let Gov. Rick Perry call the Legislature back into a 30-day special session to continue the agencies and pass the bonds.

Several Democrats argued against the move, saying it was dangerous to begin the shutdown process of major agencies.

[Associated Press; By KELLEY SHANNON and JAY ROOT]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.