MONTGOMERY — With an emphasis on public safety and mental health care, Alabama lawmakers sent a record $3.4 billion General Fund budget to Gov. Kay Ivey.
The spending plan, which surpasses the current fiscal year’s $3.1 billion budget, includes funding for prisons, mental health, and other non-education agencies.
The Legislature continues to work on the state’s Education Trust Fund budget. The regular session ends Thursday.
“Here in Alabama, we continue budgeting wisely,” Ivey said. “Despite the tough national economic climate, our financial footing is strong, and we are able to make investments where they count – investments that will pay dividends for generations to come.
“While being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and ensuring our budgets are prepared for whatever may lie ahead, we are increasing funding in critical services like public safety and mental health care.”
The Department of Mental Health is allocated $235 million, an increase of $23 million from last year.
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