"Generally speaking, it's not the investments made in the budget that concern me," Perry said. "It's the charades; it's the accounting sleights of hand; it's the budgetary wizardry that gives me pause, especially with the state awash in revenue."

Comptroller Susan Combs reported in January that state revenue would grow by $14 billion over the next two years. Lawmakers used much of that money to correct accounting tricks used to balance previous budgets, to increase spending on education and health and human services, and to set aside $2.5 billion to hold down property tax rates in two years.

Perry said he hoped to avoid a special legislative session but did not rule out calling one. He also said he wouldn't blame Texans for having a bad taste in their mouths about the session, alluding to a bitter fight in recent days over whether the House should vote on removing Speaker Tom Craddick.

"I'd hoped that with a strong economy and a record budget surplus, that we could see greater unity this session," Perry said. "Instead, we saw continued discord. I'm glad that legislators are leaving town so there is time for the wounds to heal."

Perry focused his comments on the most important legislation of the session, a $153 billion state budget, which lawmakers passed Sunday.

His critique capped a session in which the Republican governor and the Republican-led Legislature weren't exactly soulmates.

Lawmakers blocked his order for schools to vaccinate girls against the human papillomavirus, and they loudly assailed the actions on toll roads by the Texas Department of Transportation, which is headed by Perry appointees.

Perry counted additional tax cuts among the Legislature's unfinished business, along with legislation that aims to limit how much tax bills can increase when property values go up.

Along with the $2.5 billion left unspent in general state revenue, the new budget will allow an unusually large sum — more than $4 billion — to collect in the state's Rainy Day Fund.

Perry also criticized lawmakers for not spending enough on an incentive pool for colleges and universities to boost their graduation rates. And he criticized the late addition to the budget of millions of dollars in so-called special items, or programs at specific schools.

The influx of special items into the budget stalled negotiations between the House and Senate in the closing days.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who heads the Senate, and House Speaker Tom Craddick defended the budget.

Dewhurst called it a "good, fiscally conservative budget" that cuts $7 billion a year in local school property taxes, gives teachers a pay raise, expands health insurance for children from low-income families and eliminates a surcharge on phone bills starting in the 2009 budget year.

Craddick spokeswoman Alexis DeLee said the budget "has strong bipartisan support, and it meets the needs of Texans while leaving almost $7 billion on the table for future funding issues."

As for the tax cuts Perry called for, Dewhurst said, the Legislature should first see how much money the state's new business tax will generate. Lawmakers approved that tax in 2006, but it will not be paid until 2008.

Perry applauded the push to create a $3 billion cancer research fund using bonds and said he would campaign for voters to approve it this fall.

"We will look back at this session as the linchpin in the fight against cancer with investments that one day could lead to a cure," Perry said.

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