Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Legislature

House committee approves education budget, supplemental appropriation bills

The budget would increase the state’s funding to public education by approximately $503 million.

STOCK

The House Ways and Means Education committee approved an $8.1 billion education budget with little discussion Wednesday morning. The budget would increase the state’s funding to public education by approximately $503 million.

The committee held a public meeting on the budget the previous day, with state Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, who chairs the House Ways and Means Education Committee, explaining that the increase in funds stems from the influx of COVID-19 relief to the state over the course of the previous year.

The State Board of Education for public schools will receive a grand total of $215.5 million, according to the bill’s fiscal note. Approximately $10.1 million will go to the Alabama Department of Education and a further $10 million to the Alabama Community College System, among other appropriations listed.

A handful of supplemental appropriation bills for the 2022 fiscal year also received favorable reports, including $651.5 million to the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund and $76.5 million for public universities.

Three higher education appropriations bills received a favorable report, including a bill allocating $13.1 million from the Education Trust Fund to Tuskegee University, with $2 million specifically designated for the university’s agricultural research.

A little over $1 million was also approved for Talladega College and a further $389,327 to Southern Preparatory Academy, previously named Lyman Ward Military Academy.

The bills now move to the full House for consideration.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

John is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter. You can contact him at [email protected] or via Twitter.

More from APR

State

At the heart of the survey's findings is the unequivocal importance placed on education.

Opinion

Providing better compensation for our teachers is the right thing to do at the right time for so many unsung heroes.

Education

The program will serve students at state correctional education facilities throughout Alabama.

Legislature

Sen. Kirk Harcher, D-Montgomery, said the bill would “decapitate public education.”