The House and Senate Education Committees approved the school aid rate at 1% which is an increase of around $32 million. The Governor has proposed about $54 million in school aid.  School aid is always a critical step in putting together the budget.

Looking ahead, next week there will be no legislative action on Monday as members of both parties in both chambers will be attending their local precinct caucuses which are the official kick-off of the election season. Action will resume on Tuesday as anticipation builds for movement on the deappropriations bill.  At this point, the Governor and the Senate have made their proposed cuts official and public but the House has yet to do so.

The week after next is “funnel week.”  This means that by Friday, February 16 a bill must be voted out of a policy committee in at least one chamber in order for it to advance.