Budget
Compromise Not Likely Before July 1
from July 26 Legislative Link
Although House and Senate
budget negotiators said they are making progress
in ironing out the components of the final
state budget for 2009-2011, they took action
this week that signals they do not anticipate
getting the state budget bill enacted before
the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.
The Senate on Tuesday approved Senate Bill
311, Continuing Budget Authority, which would
serve as a stopgap measure to keep state government
operating until the new state budget can be
approved.
The bill would fund state government at 85
percent of the spending levels provided in
the current $21.3 billion state budget for
2008-09. It would delay any step pay increases
that normally would go to teachers and principals
based on seniority and provides that the state’s
employer contribution rates budgeted for retirement
and related benefits for 2009-10 would remain
the same as they are on June 30, 2009 until
the new budget is passed.
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