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House approves $3 billion General Fund budget

It’s often said the Legislature is technically only required to do one thing each session: Pass a budget.

On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives unanimously passed a General Fund budget, on track for a 6% increase in spending from the previous year, making it the largest budget in state history. 

Gov. Kay Ivey proposed the budget last month, which was slightly amended and increased by the House in committee.

Here is the final version approved on Tuesday.

It will now go to the Senate for approval while the Senate takes up the education trust fund Wednesday.

House Chairman of the General Fund Committee Rex Reynolds led the chamber to a 105-0 vote — which is the product of constant efforts by him and fellow lawmakers and agencies leaders.

“The Ways and Means general fund budget includes all of the expenses for the executive, the legislative, and the judicial departments,” Reynolds said.

All state agencies requested an increase in their budget for FY2024. Ivey and the Legislature have been in the process of making those decisions.

Among the notable increases includes a $112 million hike to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, a $836 million increase to the Alabama Medicaid Agency, and a $662 million increase to the Department of Corrections.

The House also passed a supplemental budget to address timely expenses that weren’t accounted for in the current FY2023 budget.

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 legislative session. 

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