By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The one-point-six billion dollar General Fund budget is done in the legislature. The Senate voted 22-to-nothing late Wednesday night to give the budget final approval. The budget will provide increased appropriations for many state agencies during the next fiscal year, which begins October first. It will also fund a five percent pay raise for state employees. The education budget passed the legislature last month. So, lawmakers will be able to devote the final two days of the session to other business.