The State Senate approved a new budget Thursday that includes no tax increases, provides funding for essential services, promotes workforce development, bolsters education spending at all levels and makes a 300 million dollar investment in the state Rainy Day Fund, according to Senator Dan Laughlin. The budget increases state support for all levels of education including a boost of 160 million dollars in Basic Education funding, and an across-the-board 2 percent increase in funding for higher ed.
The Senate did eliminate the cash assistance program. Sen. Laughlin explains why. “I want to make it very clear. We did not eliminate the TANF program, or SNAP. This was simply the cash assistance that was basically unregulated and had no oversight. And I think that message needs to get out,” Laughlin said.
The budget now awaits the Governor’s signature.
