Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee wrapped up its budget proposal. Included is $39.2 million in recurring funding for the Department of Social Services. The additional funding will be used to help DSS address complaints from the Michelle H. lawsuit (which claimed that the state was causing harm to children by neglecting to address problems within the foster care system), staffing shortages, support for kinship caregivers and address salary inadequacies.
The Ways and Means budget also includes $230 million for teacher pay raises, a three percent salary increase plus a $1,500 bonus for state employees, and $150 million in funding for rural school construction.
The budget bill heads to the House floor next where debate and passage of the bill are scheduled for the week of March 14.
