Starting today, the House will begin debate on the fiscal year 2022-23 budget. The House Ways and Means version includes $39.2 million in recurring funding for the Department of Social Services that will be used to help address the complaints from the Michelle H. lawsuit, staffing shortages, support for kinship caregivers and address salary inadequacies.
The Ways and Means budget also includes $230 million for teacher pay raises, a 3 percent salary increase plus a $1,500 bonus for state employees, and $150 million in funding for rural school construction.
