School funding set
Lawmakers and negotiators for Gov. Bill Owens announced Wednesday that they have reached a deal on the state budget that would boost spending for special education by $20 million, charter-school construction by $2.8 million and provide $40 million this year and next to pay for school construction in rural and poor school districts.
The total for charter schools is now $7.8 million.
The state will also provide $30 million for capital construction projects and another $8.5 million for state colleges and universities.
“This budget is a victory for the governor, a victory for taxpayers and a victory for students at all levels,” said Owens’ spokesman Dan Hopkins.
Rainy-day fund deal
Members of the House of Representatives plan to announce that they have reached a deal on a rainy-day fund to save money for future fiscal emergencies.
The details call for the state to sell $500 million to $700 million in bonds backed by expected revenues from a legal settlement with tobacco companies, according to sources familiar with the deal.
In other action
Gov. Bill Owens signed a bill to eliminate the 10-year criminal statute of limitations for felony sex offenses committed against children.
The Senate Business Labor and Technology Committee on Wednesday endorsed House Bill 1344, asking voters to legalize domestic partnerships by same-sex couples.
The Senate gave preliminary approval Wednesday to Senate Bill 198, which would require that a standardized contract be used between doctors and health insurance companies.
The Senate gave preliminary approval Wednesday to Senate Bill 141, which would require hospitals to disclose financial, patient and staffing information to the state health department.
The House approved and sent back to the Senate for consideration amendments to Senate Bill 2, which would require home-sale contracts to disclose whether the property was ever used as a methamphetamine laboratory, with hazardous chemicals requiring a costly cleanup.
