The House passed a $27.8 billion budget just before 5:00 pm, averting a government shutdown.
The bill calls for a 1.1-percent increase in education in 2010 and a .3-percent increase in 2011. However, the Dept. of Education will be able to use stimulus money for school operations.
As far as the Capital Improvement Board goes, the state will invest $9 million between 2009 and 2011. A hotel tax increase will begin in 2010, but an admission and car rental tax won’t start until 2013.