A BUDGET BILL IS ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR. THE STATE HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY APPROVED THE 6-POINT-2 BILLION DOLLAR BILL FOR NEXT YEAR ON A 57 TO 10 VOTE. DESPITE THE REVENUE DECLINE FROM FALLING OIL PRICES, THE SPENDING PLAN INCLUDES MONEY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, EDUCATION, AND JOB TRAINING.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS WOULD GET 6-POINT-8 MILLION DOLLARS IN NEW FUNDING AND 1-POINT-65 MILLION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVES. 6-MILLION DOLLARS GOES TO A JOB TRAINING INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT GETS NEARLY 2-AND-A-HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN OFFICERS. THE DPS ALSO GETS 600-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO DEVELOP A CRIMINAL RECORDS DATABASE AND JUST OVER A MILLION DOLLARS TO DEAL WITH THE BACKLOG OF UNTESTED RAPE KITS.
