Lt. Gov: "priority is higher education"

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Lt. Gov David Dewhurst laid out his goals for Session '09 during his biannual luncheon with the media. His primary focus is the budget and keeping Texas out of the red. He also wants to change standards of education by focusing on secondary education and phasing out the TAKS test and replacing it with an end-of-the-year exam.

"Another priority is higher education," said Dewhurst. "We need more flagship universities."

Dewhurst also said the state has to deal with tuition increases at universities.

"I'm going to continue to push for financial aid," he said.

The Texas Department of Transportation was listed as Dewhurst's fifth priority. He said in rural Texas, it will be important to build necessary roads.

"I asked TxDOT to give me a list of roads needed, and there was no such list,' he said.

However, Dewhurst said after months of meetings, they have finally come up with a draft of needed funds, which is in the ballpark of $20 to $25 billion. Health care is the Lt. Governor's sixth priority.