Appropriations committee introduces Senate G bill SB220 and gives it a due-pass recommendation

The Joint Committee on Appropriations introduced Senate Bill 220, the Senate general appropriations bill, and voted to send it to the floor after committee discussion. Senator Lapka moved to introduce the bill "an act to appropriate money for the ordinary Expenses of the Legislative, Judicial and Executive Departments of the State, the current expenses of the State Institutions, interest on the public debt and for common schools." Representative Jervey seconded the introduction.

Committee members praised the collaborative process used to assemble the budget. Jim Terwilliger of the Bureau of Finance and Management described the bill as a product of hard work and said, "I thought the process worked really well this year... I do believe that this is a budget that meets the needs and balances out with a lot of reductions in certain areas."

After proponent testimony, Senator Vojta moved a due-pass recommendation for SB220; Senator Howard seconded. A roll-call vote on the due-pass motion recorded 18 ayes; the committee chair declared SB220 introduced and slated to go to the floor.

Remarks from multiple members highlighted the committee's work through a tight budget year and thanked staff. Representative Cassin and others said the committee produced "a balanced budget" that addresses state needs, while several members noted it required difficult choices and cuts.

Action and next steps: SB220 was formally introduced and recommended to pass out of the committee; it will proceed to floor consideration under standard legislative procedures.