AUSTIN, TEXAS (AP) -- Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst wants the Senate to turn over every rock to find $5 billion in new revenue.
He's asking the chief Senate budget writer to form a new Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters to find the money in savings and non-tax revenue to balance the budget.
He says lawmakers need to "conduct a thorough review of the budget and look closely at every cost-saving alternative before there is any further discussion about tapping into the Rainy DayFund."
With a projected revenue shortfall of more than $15 billion, the Legislature is making severe cuts across state government to balance the 2012-2013 Texas budget.
Lubbock Sen. Robert Duncan will serve as chairman of the committee.
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