AUSTIN (January 23, 2013)--State lawmakers were digging into education funding Wednesday as the Legislature returned to business after a nearly week-long break.

The powerful Senate Finance Committee was scheduled to begin a series of hearings Wednesday on proposed budgets for public schools and universities, both of which absorbed deep cuts two years ago when lawmakers slashed the state budget in the face of a $27 billion shortfall.

This time budget-writers are working with a much-rosier revenue picture and a revived Texas economy, but budget bills introduced in the House and Senate last week don't reverse more than $5 billion in reduced classroom spending.

Republicans say they're committed to funding enrollment growth.

Lawmakers were back at the Capitol Wednesday after an extended adjournment so that Democrats could attend President Barack Obama's inauguration.