By Peggy Fikac
The Houston Chronicle
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ prison system is asking state leaders to exempt it from most of a proposed 5 percent spending cut, warning that reductions could hurt prison security and make it more likely offenders would relapse into crime.
State agencies, including the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, are identifying cuts at the direction of Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus.
The agencies and universities were directed to identify potential cuts because of a looming multibillion-dollar state budget gap. Some exceptions will be allowed, and the three leaders will review whether the identified cuts should occur.
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