By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Senate has passed a state education budget that is larger than this year's spending level and that saves jobs once at risk.
The Alabama Senate voted 32-0 Tuesday night for a $6.3 billion education budget for the 2009-2010 school year. The budget is up $418 million, or 7 percent, from this year's prorated spending level. The budget includes $513 million in federal stimulus funds.
The budget now goes to the House for consideration.
State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton says the budget would have been a nightmare without the federal stimulus fund. Senate budget committee Chairman Hank Sanders of Selma says the budget should protect teaching and school support jobs.
The House began debate Tuesday on the state General Fund budget. That debate will resume Thursday.