An act making appropriations for the support of government —
2025-04-03
· Calendar #624
The Senate passed a $2.025 billion budget extender on a 60-0 vote, extending state government operations through Monday at noon and keeping negotiations alive for a full budget deal next week. The bill allocates $45 million for state worker salaries, with approximately $38 million more than a similar extender last year attributed to National Guard deployment in correctional facilities. Sen. Krueger expressed optimism about completing the full budget next week, with staff working through the weekend. However, the vote sparked sharp debate over the Governor's decision to deploy 6,000 National Guard members at an estimated $100 million monthly cost rather than rehiring 2,000 fired corrections officers at approximately $20 million monthly. Sen. Stec and Sen. Borrello criticized the arrangement as financially irresponsible and unsafe, while Sen. Tedisco questioned why the Legislature was not remaining in continuous session to meet the April 1 budget deadline. The extender was passed under message of necessity, limiting debate and transparency on specific allocations.
PASSED
Ayes: 60
· Nays: N/A
Debate Summary
The Senate debated a budget extender allocating $2.025 billion to extend state government operations through Monday at noon. Debate focused heavily on $45 million allocated for state worker salaries, with senators questioning the allocation of approximately $38 million more than a similar extender from the prior year, largely attributed to National Guard deployment in correctional facilities. Sen. Krueger indicated optimism about completing the full budget next week, with staff working through the weekend. Multiple senators criticized the Governor's decision to deploy 6,000 National Guard members at an estimated $100 million monthly cost rather than rehiring 2,000 fired corrections officers, and questioned the lack of transparency in budget extenders passed under message of necessity.