MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A committee of the Alabama Senate has
approved a state education budget that cuts spending on most school
and college programs for the next academic year.
The Senate Finance and Taxation-Education Committee voted
unanimously Tuesday for a $6.3 billion budget. That's down from
$6.7 billion this year due to the economic slowdown. K-12 schools
would get reduced 3 percent and universities 11 percent.
The committee's version is very similar to one approved by the
House last week. The budget now goes to the Senate for
consideration on Thursday.
State school Superintendent Joe Morton said the Senate committee
did a remarkable job under very difficult circumstances.

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