AUSTIN - Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush lobbied Senate budget-writers for more Alamo funding Thursday, bringing assurances that the $300 million project has a strong commitment from San Antonio and will be lifted by an ambitious private fundraising effort.

Senate Finance Committee members appeared receptive as they stressed the historical importance of the shrine, an indication that they may increase their commitment to help restore it and to redevelop surrounding land.

The committee’s initial spending proposal is far shy of the $75 million that Bush requested for the project over the next two years. The Alamo initiative is among multiple programs that would take a hit in the Senate’s starting-point budget as lawmakers face a tight revenue picture.

“The Alamo is a true treasure that every Texan takes pride in,” said Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound. She welcomed Bush’s assurance that the goal is for the state to be a partner in the Alamo project, but won’t bear most of the cost.

“That’s what I wanted to hear as we’re making our decision about where to invest our resources,” said Nelson.

Bush cited a Thursday letter to Senate Finance members from San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor and Councilman Roberto C. Treviño that outlined the funds the city already has committed and additional money that will be part of the May bond election.

“This is the most coordinated, comprehensive and well-funded effort to preserve and reimagine the cradle of Texas liberty,” said their letter.

Bush — who repeatedly assured senators that they would be kept in the loop with regard to Alamo plans, and that their feedback as partners is important — also stressed the development of a robust private fundraising initiative.

Nelson pressed for the private fundraising campaign to do more than rely on high-dollar donors so that all Texans have “a sense of ownership.”

“I want every Texan to have an opportunity to contribute. So that’s my charge to you today, is figure out a way for general citizens who can’t give the $5,000 check — that are giving through their tax dollars — but who can actually give a dollar to restore the Alamo,” she said.

Bush said he didn’t want to disclose “secret and confidential” information but that the private fundraising plan spearheaded by leaders, including developer and Alamo Endowment board member Gene Powell, includes a “grassroorts piece.”

“Get the kids involved,” instructed Nelson.

“Absolutely. It will be great,” said Bush, who joked, “I’m sounding like our president. It will be great.” Amid chuckles from senators and the suggestion, “Huge,” Bush agreed, “It will be huge.”

The initial Senate proposal filed by Nelson lists $9.1 million in state funds for the operation, preservation and maintenance of the state-owned Alamo complex.

The project would fare better under the House leadership starting-point budget proposal released by Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, at $83.5 million from the state, including $75 million in state general-revenue money.

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, suggested that Bush’s efforts to trim his General Land Office budget in other areas help his request for more funding for priority projects.

“When I look at the request for the Alamo, because I know you scrubbed down your department so well —” Bettencourt said.

Bush also threw in a sweetener with his testimony: He’ll try to get rock star Phil Collins to make a return visit in support of the project.

Collins, an Alamo fan, came to the Texas Capitol in 2015 and was made an honorary Texan. He has donated Alamo artifacts under a deal worked out with Bush’s predecessor as land commissioner, Jerry Patterson.

Bettencourt indicated that such a visit would be a sound strategy.

“I believe the best Phil Collins impersonator on this dais is actually Chairman Nelson,” Bettencourt said. “She does it better than Phil Collins does.”

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