House Approves Budget, Sends Package To Senate

The House has given final passage to a rather unusual version of the state budget – a lump-sum approach which would see state departments given sums of money, with the department directors deciding how best to spend that money. House Democrats criticize the Republican majority, claiming the House is abdicating responsibility by having passing the delegation duties to agency heads. The budget proposal for the fiscal year which begins July 1st authorizes expenditures of more than $18.5-Billion – about$700-Million less than proposed by Governor Bob Holden. The House plan now moves onto the Senate.