Appropriations panel tightens Highway Patrol budget language, keeps 3% salary increase

The Appropriations — Government Operations Division on an unspecified date reviewed the Highway Patrol budget and agreed to follow leadership directions that a 3% salary increase be included for all salaries, including any new FTEs, while removing proposed language that would allow agencies to move FTEs subject to available funds.

Committee members heard that the executive budget recommendation initially showed a large general fund increase for Highway Patrol; fiscal staff said the executive recommendation’s figures (about a 32.7% total general fund increase and roughly 23.02% ongoing in the version they reviewed) were corrected on a long sheet. After the correction the ongoing general fund increase was reported as 16.6% and the total general fund increase as 26.1%.

The committee reiterated four leadership instructions relayed earlier by the appropriations chair: include a 3% salary increase for all salaries (including new FTEs); do not include…