AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The Republican leadership in the Texas House has proposed changing the rules to block Democrats from forcing a vote on funding for public schools.

Next week lawmakers are scheduled to vote on an emergency spending measure to cover a budget deficit for Medicaid, the health program for the poor and disabled.

Democrats want to use that bill to also restore $5.4 billion in cuts to public schools. But Republican Rep. Todd Hunter proposed a rule Thursday that would block any attempt by Democrats to force a vote on public education spending.

Republican lawmakers don't want to be forced to vote against raising public education spending.

The rule Hunter proposed is extremely unusual and breaks with the tradition of allowing lawmakers to offer amendments to spending bills, no matter the cost.

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