In spite of opposition from Gov. Rick Perry, the Texas Senate has voted to accept $555 million in federal unemployment benefits.
The measure, which passed 19-11 Monday, would expand state unemployment benefits by including part-time workers and people who quit for compelling reasons, such as a child's illness or family violence.
Perry, a Republican, has agreed to take almost all the nearly $17 billion stimulus package slated for Texas. But he says there are too many strings attached to the unemployment money.
Copyright The Associated Press