Alabama Gov. Bob Riley Monday signed into law a $6.2 billion education budget that avoids layoffs for teachers and school support personnel.
Riley said he was satisfied with the plan because it maintains reading, math, technology, and distance-learning initiatives that began in previous years. The budget is divided into the education trust fund and the general fund, both of which have separate funding mechanisms.
The Senate Tuesday passed a $2.5 billion general fund budget that now goes back to the House. The fiscal year begins Oct. 1. The Legislature’s regular session is expected to end next week.
Lawmakers had not yet reached agreement on any bills that would relieve problems in severely financially troubled Jefferson County, which has been unable to restructure nearly $3.2 billion of variable- and auction-rate sewer debt.
