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Floor Sessions Date: Thursday, February 21, 2002
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About the Debate:
The Senate passes 2002-2003 budget balancing plan. The proposal balances the state's $1.95 billion budget deficit for the current biennium. The plan draws on $1.3 billion in reserves, reduces permanent spending by $374 million, and makes one-time cuts of $131 million. HF 351 passed on a 57-8 vote.

Some of the permanent cuts include: $15 million to K-12 Education; $4 million to Family and Early Childhood; $50 million to Higher Education; $95.9 million to Human Services; $14.3 million to the Environment; $2.68 million to Agriculture; $4.1 million to Transportation; $26.3 million to Judiciary; $7 million to Economic Development; $41.9 million to State Government; $38 million in TIF Grants; $40 million in Salary Caps; and $35 million in Professional and Technical Contracts.

HF 351 includes no tax increases or expansion to the sales tax.

The Senate will reconvene on Friday, February 22, 2002 at 8:45 a.m.