Texas Prison Board to Hear About Budget Cuts

The Texas prison director is briefing the state prison board about financial concerns facing the state's prison system as part of the overall Texas budget shortfall expected to top $20 billion.

Executive Director Brad Livingston is on the agenda for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice board meeting Thursday in Austin. The board is to address "fiscal challenges" and the legislative session that begins next month.

The task got harder this week. Top elected state officials asked agencies to plan for 2.5 percent cuts in the current budget atop reductions already imposed.

The nation's second-largest prison system is asking for $6.55 billion in the upcoming 2012-13 budget and has been told to trim that by 5 percent. The agency has sought exemptions in the past and may do so again.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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