State leaders have reached a deal for $92.5
million in supplemental funding to pay for teacher bonuses and
insurance benefits, a trooper academy and reimbursing local
communities for disaster assistance.
A bill containing the agreement easily cleared a Senate
committee Tuesday on a 14-0 vote and now heads to a House committee
for consideration.
The revenue used to supplement the current fiscal year funding
comes mostly from surplus revenue collections. The deal also
includes $1 million for equipment and personnel required for the
state medical examiner’s office to receive national accreditation.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Clark Jolley says the
agreement involved the governor and House and Senate leaders.