House Minority Speaker Matt Entenza understands that it's not going to be an easy task to help get the state out of a $3.2 billion hole.

In short, it’s going to take teamwork.

"We're going to have to do this in a bipartisan way," Entenza said. "We're going to have to come together. There’s a thing about compromising priorities.&uot;

Entenza said.

For the state to get out of its debt without raising taxes or fees, nearly 11 percent in

aid would have to be cut from schools and nursing homes. That means Austin

schools would get $5.3 million less in aid, and city nursing homes would get $1.3

million in funding cut.

Entenza said one option that’s been talked about has been hiking the state’s gas

tax, something that hasn’t been done since 1988.

&uot;The state chamber’s proposal is three cents,&uot; he said. &uot;I think the chamber’s

position is a good one, because it’s bipartisan.&uot;

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at

dan.fields@austindailyherald.com