Strayhorn seeks session on hurricane relief

Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Texas Legislature: "State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn urged Gov. Rick Perry on Friday to call a special legislative session so lawmakers could spend an unexpected surplus on Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Mr. Perry's office said the move is unnecessary because the federal government will reimburse Texas for costs incurred.

Mrs. Strayhorn said rising oil prices, strong auto sales and increased retail trade this summer helped produce $1.2 billion of unanticipated revenue for the state as it wrapped up a two-year budget cycle Thursday and began a new one Friday.

'We need to use this good fortune for a good cause,' she said. 'Governor Perry can call a quick, three-day special session of the Legislature, let lawmakers appropriate this money and get relief to our Texas communities providing relief.'

Mrs. Strayhorn said a three-day special session would be worth the $168,000 cost to avoid straining state and local finances.

However, Perry spokesman Robert Black said: 'There is not a need for a special session. The governor does not see a need at this time to ask state government to pay for something the federal government has said it would pay for.'"