As Ted and I explained in our report on the FY 2017 budget, there are a number of steps the governor is requesting the legislature to take in order to both close the FY 2016 budget gap of $381 million and the FY 2017 budget gap of $466 million. Here’s an update of where the governor’s bills stand:
Senate Bill 341 moves $26.7 million in expiring funds from the Insurance Commissioner into General Revenue. It has been passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.
Senate Bill 342 reduces General Revenue Medicaid appropriations by $53.9 million, so that surplus Lottery revenues can be used instead. It has passed both chambers and has been signed by the governor.
Senate Bill 352 ends a revenue transfer to the Port Authority, keeping $4.3 million in the General Revenue fund. It has passed the Senate and is currently in the House Finance Committee.
Senate Bill 355 imposes the sales tax on telecommunication devices, increasing revenue by $10 million for FY16 and $60 million in FY17. It is currently in the Senate Finance Committee.
Senate Bill 356 suspends a revenue transfer to State Road Fund, keeping $9.0 million in the General Revenue Fund. The bill made it to 3rd reading in the Senate before being referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
Senate Bill 357 is a supplemental appropriation of $9.8 million from Lottery to Senior Services for Medicaid. It has passed both chambers and has been signed by the governor.
Senate Bill 360 is a supplemental appropriation of $10.1 million from Excess Lottery to the Division of Human Services for Medicaid. It has passed both chambers and has been signed by the governor.
Senate Bill 364 is a supplemental appropriation of $5 million in expiring funds from he Insurance Commissioner, to General Revenue, and the transfer of $51.8 million from the Rainy Day Fund. It has passed both chambers and has been signed by the governor.
Senate Bill 400 reduces the amount of sales tax dedicated to the School Major Improvement Fund by $3 million. The bill has passed the Senate and and is currently in the House Finance Committee.
Senate Bill 419 redirects the revenues dedicated to the Workers’ Compensation Debt Fund to General Revenue, increasing revenue for the General Revenue Fund by $92 million in FY16. It has passed the Senate and an amended version has passed the House, sending it back to the Senate.
Senate Bill 420 increases the tax on cigarette and tobacco products, increasing revenue by $18.9 million in FY16 and $78 million in FY17. The Senate amended the bill, setting a higher tax on cigarettes than the governor’s proposal. The bill has passed the Senate and and is currently in the House Finance Committee.
Senate Bill 421 repeals the severance tax on Behavioral Health Providers, and replaces the revenue by extending the sales tax to non-home use durable medical equipment, increasing revenue by $14 million. The bill is on its 2nd reading in the Senate
Senate Bill 444 is a supplemental appropriation of $7.2 million to DHHR, including $4 million for Medicaid. It is currently in the Senate Finance Committee.
Senate Bill 449 is a supplemental appropriation of $15.3 million to Public Defender Services. It has passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.
Senate Bill 450 is a supplemental appropriation of $4.5 million to DHHR. It has passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.
Senate Bill 452 revises the school aid formula, reducing state costs by $14.8 million. The Senate Education Committee reported the bill out without acting on it, and the Senate rejected the Committee’s report, sending it back the the Education Committee.
House Bill 4217 reduced the distribution to the State Infrastructure Fund from Excess Lottery by $10 million. It is on 1st reading in the House as of 2/26/2016.
House Bill 4220 is the same as Senate Bill 330, and is in the House Finance Committee.
House Bill 4269 is the same as Senate Bill 452. It is currently in the House Education Committee.
