By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The largest education budget in state history is making fast progress at the Statehouse. On Tuesday, the Senate Finance and Taxation-Education Committee approved the 6 billion dollar budget. The budget won House approval two weeks ago, and now goes to the Senate for a vote that could come as early as Thursday. The budget for the fiscal year starting October first would spend 12 percent more than this year's budget. It includes more money for physical education teachers, special education teachers, and school nurses. It would also fund a five-day extension in the school year and pay raises for school employees. But it doesn't include the 500 million dollar school construction program recommended by the governor. And it doesn't make any accommodations for the income tax cut recommended by the governor.