Alabama Senate passes reduced education budget - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Senate passes reduced education budget

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The Alabama Senate has approved an education budget that reduces spending on public schools and colleges, cuts teaching positions and increases class sizes.

The Senate voted 31-4 Tuesday night for the $5.5 billion budget for the upcoming school year. It's about $150 million, or 2.7 percent, smaller than this year's budget.

Senate budget committee Chairman Trip Pittman said the budget increases funding for school supplies and textbooks and maintains funding for popular programs like the Alabama Reading Initiative and distance learning.

The budget now goes to the House for consideration.

House budget committee Chairman Jay Love said he expects changes in the House.

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