From the office of State Rep. Carlene Fite:
On Friday, the House passed the amendment to the Revenue Stabilization Act which includes the budget for the next fiscal year.
The $5.49 billion budget includes an increase of $163 million (3.1%) in spending from the current fiscal year.
Of that increase, $112.8 million is directed to the Department of Human Services (DHS). Included in the DHS increase is $75 million directed to match federal Medicaid funding. It also includes a $26 million increase for foster care and $4.5 million is directed to fund mental health crises stabilization centers.
In education, the budget directs a $3 million increase for Pre-K funding and $2.4 for computer science courses.
Other increases include funding for the Department of Correction and the Department of Community Correction.
The House passed SB609 which permits a concealed carry licensee to possess a concealed handgun in his or her employer’s parking lot if certain storage conditions are met.
We also passed SB549 which allows the Department of Education to identify two schools to participate in a voluntary one year pilot program to extend recess time for elementary students. The program would continue one year so the department could study the impact of increased recess on academic performance.
The House will reconvene Monday at 10am.
