Local legislators are pleased with the speed of the budget-making process in this year’s session and also approve of the priorities outlined in the two-year spending plan.
As previously reported, the $110 billion biennial budget funds full-day kindergarten, gives state employees a six-percent pay raise, gives a $15,000 pay raise to state troopers, gives social workers pay raises and funds the hiring of additional social workers.
State Representative Myron Dossett of Pembroke notes that it also continues to fully fund the pension systems.
State Senator Whitney Westerfield hopes the Senate will get to work quickly on its changes to the budget to get the bill to a conference committee—noting that the budget usually hinders progress on other matters by being one of the final pieces of legislation to pass before the veto recess.
Representative Walker Thomas says he was overall pleased with the budget, saying not only does it give out some much-needed pay raises, it increases the SEEK formula and other funding for schools.
You can hear local legislators comment on the budget and other matters Sunday morning at 9 on Lite Rock 98.7 and online at lite987whop.com.