2007-2008 Budget Taking Shape

It was the House of Delegates' turn this year to take the lead on the 2007-2008 state budget. The bill passed Friday evening to the Senate includes $3.7 billion in general revenue spending and $10 billion in total (also road fund, lottery, federal, etc.) spending for the fiscal year that starts Jan. 1.

The Associated Press offers the details. The story is also here.

Among the highlights:

* $48 million for 3.5 percent teacher and school service personnel raises;

* $4.4 million for $2,000 corrections officers raises, the first step toward raising their pay by $5,000 over three years;

* $21 million for 3.5 percent raises for other state employees.

The budget bill also keeps proposed funding for the Higher Education Grant Program as requested by Gov. Joe Manchin, but shifts part of the source from general to lottery revenue.

Friday's budget bill increases general revenue spending by about 3.5 percent over last year's budget bill, but lawmakers have filed several supplemental appropriations since for ongoing general revenue spending.

Note: the budget won't be passed in its final form by midnight tonight. Instead, a joint House-Senate committee will tinker with it over the course of most of next week, and then the Legislature will pass it as part of an extended session.