The House takes up the budget: a day in pictures

After more than 15 hours of debate, the Texas House passed its budget proposal early Friday morning, 131-16. Here's the story in pictures.

By John Jordan

April 8, 20172 PM Central

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_{*Correction appended}

After more than 15 hours of debate, the Texas House passed a budget early Friday morning, 131-16. We were there for every minute. Here's a look at the day's events in pictures from photographers Bob Daemmrich and Laura Skelding.

State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, who is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, lays out the budget with an abacus as a prop. The plaque reads, — State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, lays out the budget with an abacus as a prop. The plaque reads, "Sometimes All You Need Is A Billion Dollars." Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Zerwas works the floor in the early hours of the debate. — Zerwas works the floor in the early hours of the budget debate. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Speaker of the House Joe Straus visits with Rep. John Frullo, R-Lubbock. — House Speaker Joe Straus visits with Rep. John Frullo, R-Lubbock. In a statement on the budget, Straus said the House plan "keeps Texas living within its means while making investments that will strengthen our economy and brighten our future." Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune

Lawmakers prepared for the anticipated long day in different ways. 20-plus-year House veteran Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, gets comfortable. — Lawmakers prepared for the long day in different ways. State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, a House veteran, gets comfortable. Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune

Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, fills a candy bowl. — Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, makes sure his candy bowl is well-stocked for the long day. Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune

An early moment of contention arose after state Rep. Sergio Muñoz, D-Palmview, passed an amendment to strip $43 million from the governor’s Texas Enterprise Fund. Here, Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, delivers an angry speech denouncing the vote. — An early moment of contention arose after state Rep. Sergio Muñoz, D-Palmview, passed an amendment to strip $43 million from the governor’s Texas Enterprise Fund. Here, Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, delivers a speech denouncing the vote. Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune

Frullo and Richard Raymond, D-Laredo, huddle on the House floor during the debate. — Frullo and fellow Rep. Richard Raymond, D-Laredo, huddle on the House floor during the debate. Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune

Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring, here speaking to Stickland, offered an amendment mirroring the state Senate's — Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring, shown here speaking to Stickland, offered an amendment mirroring the state Senate's "bathroom bill." It didn't get a vote. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

State Rep. Ina Minjarez, D-San Antonio votes in favor of her amendment to gut funding to the attorney general's office to fund programs that serve vulnerable children. It passed, 82 to 61. — State Rep. Ina Minjarez, D-San Antonio, votes in favor of her amendment to cut some funding to the attorney general's office and use that money to fund programs serving vulnerable children. It passed, 82-61. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Perhaps the most heated moments of the debate arose between Stickland and Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, over continued funding of a feral hog abatement program. Here, House Parliamentarian Chris Griesel signals time out as tempers flare. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Stickland had filed an amendment defund the state program, a favorite in rural counties. Springer countered by attaching an amendment to Stickland's amendment cutting the same amount of funding for the Texas Department of Transportation — but only for Bedford, Stickland’s hometown. — Stickland had filed an amendment to defund the state program, a favorite in rural counties. Springer countered by attaching an amendment to Stickland's amendment cutting the same amount of funding for the Texas Department of Transportation — but only for Bedford, Stickland’s hometown. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Later, on the House floor, fellow House members had to physically intervene. Springer's amendment passed, forcing Stickland to withdraw his. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

As the night wore on, amendments to the budget arose, passed or failed as the House crafted its final version. Here, Helen Giddings, D-DeSoto, has a light-hearted moment with fellow legislators. — As the night wore on, amendments to the budget passed or failed as the House crafted its final version. Here, Rep. Helen Giddings, D-DeSoto, chats with fellow legislators. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Finally, at about 1:30 Friday morning (far earlier than many guessed), the House passed out its budget, 131 for, 16 against. Next comes reconciliation with the Senate's budget. They've got a lot to work out. — Finally, at about 1:30 a.m. Friday, the House passed out its budget, 131-16. Next comes reconciliation with the Senate's budget. They've got a lot to work out. "I’m optimistic that we will find common ground with the Senate on these and many other issues,” Straus said in a statement. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to state Rep. Charlie Geren as a 20-year veteran of the Texas House.

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John Jordan

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