Budget Update 6-9-06

House budget leaders spent this week finalizing the funding levels for education, health and human services, our courts and public safety programs, transportation, the environment, and other budget items. The budget looks pretty good, although I am disappointed that there is no funding for farmland preservation or for AIDS drug assistance for low income folks, and will push for that next week. We will begin debate on the bill in committee Tuesday morning with final passage by the full House later in the week. Once we pass our version of the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006, members of the House and Senate will begin negotiations for a final compromise.