A8015

The Senate unanimously passed Assembly Bill 8015, a government appropriations extender, on a 50-0 vote. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymember Pretlow, provides $12.1 billion in appropriation authority and includes $2.4 billion for school aid payments. According to Sen. Mayer, who answered questions on behalf of the absent Sen. Krueger, the bill represents a $2.5 billion increase over the previous extender and runs through Thursday. Mayer indicated that significant budget policy issues are close to resolution, with an agreement already reached on a cellphone ban and ongoing negotiations on other gubernatorial priorities. The bill takes effect immediately.