By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama House has approved a $1.9 billion budget to fund non-education state agencies for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
The budget reduces funding for many state agencies by 11 percent because of the slow economy that has cut into tax revenues.
The House voted 97-6 to approve the General Fund budget, which provides money for non-education services such as prisons, state troopers and Medicaid.
The budget restores increased funding for children's health insurance after the budget proposed by Gov. Bob Riley had recommended giving the program the same amount it received for the current fiscal year.
The General Fund budget now goes to the Senate for debate.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)