May 8, 2023 Group Watch: Senate Passes Education Trust Fund Budget
The Alabama Senate approved an $8.8 billion education trust fund budget. The budget provides for a 2% pay raise for education employees, a $2.8 billion surplus and gives the go-ahead for a one-time $100 direct rebate to taxpayers. Highlights of the 2024 education budget and supplemental budget:
- $5.9 billion to K-12
- $2.4 billion to 2- and 4-year higher education
- $195 million to early childhood education
- 2% pay raise for education employees
- $76 million for the Department of Mental Health
- $35.6 million increase to the Alabama Community College System
- $20 million for teachers’ classroom instructional materials
- $10 million for “underperforming schools”
- Alabama Math Science and Technology initiative increased by $25 million
- $500,000 to special education classroom cameras
- $100 direct tax rebate to 2021 tax filers
