The Associated Press just released this story. This is all we have for now:

House votes to strip arts funding

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The Texas House has adopted a measure to gut state arts funding.

During the amendment process for the state budget Friday, an unusual alliance of conservative Republicans and Democrats came together behind a provision to drain general revenue funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts. The money, about $3.5 million, would be redirected into community-based programs for the elderly and disabled.

House Republican leaders fought the measure. They said it would essentially wipe out the agency which provides grants for arts and cultural events. But tea-party conservatives said the state can’t afford to fund arts programs when so many human needs aren’t being met. The amendment passed on an unusually close 67-61 vote.