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.
