AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A signature program of Gov. Rick Perry that Texas lawmakers are newly scrutinizing is now being considered for a possible name change.
The Texas Emerging Technology Fund has doled out more than $184 million to private companies since 2005. The balance of taxpayer dollars in the program is dwindling and budget-writers so far have set aside Perry’s request to replenish the fund with more money.
The House on Monday gave tentative approval to a measure renaming the program the Texas Research Technology Fund. Republican state Rep. John Davis says the new name would more accurately reflect the research that goes on between fund recipients and state universities.
Perry’s other main economic development program, the Texas Enterprise Fund, would receive its first state audit under a bill passed by the Senate.