Human Resources Commissioner Beth Bastigy briefed the Senate Appropriations committee on the Department of Human Resources budget on Jan. 27, outlining a proposed 5% increase for FY27 driven largely by salary and benefit costs, ongoing classification-system modernization, and multi-year ERP (Workday) work. Senators asked about funding sources, vacancy trends (886 current vacancies), and health‑care cost drivers including a 9% premium rise.