RICHMOND — Weary state staffers released details about the amendments to Virginia’s two-year state budget after legislators reached a compromise at around 1 a.m. Sunday morning. After cutting billions out of the state budget the past few years, lawmakers have agreed on restoring some funding in certain areas,. They are hopeful they can finalize the budget and adjourn by midnight Sunday.
Some highlights of the amounts proposed to be added to the spending in the introduced budget are:
— $45.7 million to eliminate an accelerated sales tax program for most affected retailers
— $64 million for the state’s rainy day fund
— $32.7 million in general fund money for transportation
— $75 million to restore funding for state aid to public education
— $80 million to restore money for Health and Human Services, including funding for Medicaid provider reimbursements and respite care
— $30 million for a Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Trust Fund
— $3 million for George Mason University in Fairfax County to recruit faculty in forensic science and other science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields
— $2.9 million for GMU as part of the governor’s higher education package to increase access to college and encourage degrees in the STEM fields
— $1.2 million in undergraduate financial aid for GMU
— $66,265 to increase the Governor’s School enrollment cap by 50 students; the money will help offset the enrollment costs at Thomas Jefferson High School in Fairfax County
— $11,000 for care coordination services for the elderly in Prince William County
