Despite this being a "fiscal" session, hot button social issues such as abortion and the death penalty gathered a lot of attention. However, several important fiscal issues should be noted. Teachers got a pay raise, but the burdens of the state pension system took the edge off their gains. At long last, early childhood education got its foot in the door for a state appropriation that is expected to continue or increase in years ahead, but advocates may be surprised to see no overall boost in the number of children served by the program next year. A pot of BP oil-spill settlement money became a free-for-all road program grab, the manner and priorities of which will be questioned for years to come. In the end, for so many issues, there is still a need for comprehensive reform that did not happen.
Budget realities
The general appropriations budget, including federal dollars, will increase $784 million to $29.5 billion for the 2020 fiscal year that will begin July 1. Total spending, including the legislative and judicial branches, debt and other items not included in the general appropriations bill, will reach $33.8 billion.
Spending from the state general fund, based on state taxes and revenue, is set at nearly $9.9 billion, a rise by $246 million above the level for the current year. The additional general fund money comes mainly from individual income, sales and severance taxes and represents a 2.6% increase.*
Total means of financing for health care will rise $1.1 the increase is federal money. A budget factor to for the Medicaid expansion for adults. Starting in match rate for the Medicaid expansion from 7% to the program. So far, Medicaid expansion costs have applied to the managed care organizations covering
