Ferguson, a Democrat, told reporters at a news event in the Governor’s Conference Room that in his view, both chambers’ plans depend too much on taxes. Each would rely on a so-called wealth tax, an idea that he noted would likely attract immediate legal challenge if implemented.

The governor, however, said he’d be “open to a conversation” about testing a small wealth tax in Washington to see if it can hold up in court.

Gov. Ferguson said he would veto any spending package with a wealth tax, but may have opened the door for other tax proposals to fill a $16 billion budget gap.