Lesley Stedman Weidenbener has an article on the Senate’s budget plans in an article for the Louisville Courier Journal entitled Senate GOP budget plan outlined. The Senate will hear the budget bill (HB 1001) today in the Senate Appropriations committee. Committee Chairman Bob Meeks didn’t release the plan but outlined its contents to Ms. Weidenbener. It provides money for full day kindergarten, but does not mandate that it be provided. Also, the plan would reportedly:
Boost overall spending about 4 percent annually, the level that Gov. Mitch Daniels recommended after the state’s most recent revenue forecast. It would leave the state with more than $1.1 billion in its main checking account and reserves.
Increase spending on public schools by 3.4 percent in 2008 and 2009. That’s less than the House version of the budget, which raised spending about 4 percent each year, but more than schools have received in recent budget cycles.
Give universities overall spending increases of 3.4 percent in 2008 and 4.5 percent in 2009. The budget includes more money for research and provides tens of millions of dollars in bonding authority for university construction projects. A list of those projects will be available today.
Increased funding for Medicaid and prisons at the levels requested by the Daniels administration. The House plan kept funding for both at current levels.
Provides funding for 200 additional child-welfare caseworkers, about half the number Daniels requested.
After the budget passes the Senate, the House & Senate will have to hammer out a compromise for final passage.
[tags]HB1001-2007, budget[/tags]
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