By KRWG News
Austin – Thousands of teachers, students and parents are rallying at the Texas Capitol to protest school spending cuts.
Buses carrying groups from across the state reached Austin Saturday morning. Protesters object to a proposed budget that would cut $10 billion in state spending on education. Experts say a third of Texas school teachers could lose their jobs.
Texas is facing a $27 billion budget shortfall caused by the recession and a new business tax that does not raise as much money as expected.
The Save Texas Schools Rally emerged from local protests at school board meetings. Teachers and parents quickly traced the proposed cuts back to lawmakers trying to balance the state budget.
Republicans control the Legislature and the governor's mansion. GOP leaders have rejected raising taxes or state revenues.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.