Alabama Lawmakers Approve Largest Education Budget Since Recession

The Alabama Legislature today overwhelmingly passed the state's largest education budget and largest pay raise for school employees since the Great Recession.
 
The budget calls for spending $6.3 billion from the Education Trust Fund on K-12 schools, community colleges, four-year universities and other programs, 5.6 percent more than this year.
 
Lawmakers voted to give teachers and most other education employees a 4 percent cost of living raise.
 
Educators have had one cost of living raise since 2007, a 2 percent hike three years ago.
 
After some changes worked out by a conference committee, the House passed the budget 100-0. The Senate passed it 32-0.
 
The budget and pay raise bill were sent to Gov. Robert Bentley, who issued statements praising both.