Governor Rick Perry ordered state agencies to cut $1.2 billion in spending to assist in controlling a shortfall of up to $18 billion in this year's budget.

The main issue of concern to readers of this blog is that there were $239 million in proposed budget cuts in the Texas Prison and Parole System., including cuts in prison health care, security, and other important issues.

Earlier in the year several lawmakers offered suggestions concerning how to reduce the budget for the penal system, including closing some facilities, such as the privately run Mineral Wells Pre-Parole Transfer Facility operated by CCA.