Despite negotiations between the House, Senate, and the governor’s office, the legislature did not meet the statutory July 1 deadline to complete the state budget for the next fiscal year. The House and Senate both held session on Tuesday this week, intending to pass the education budget to help schools budget for the next school year beginning in August. However, after several hours, both chambers adjourned without a deal.
To pass the budget, both parties will need to agree, as the House has a Republican majority and the Senate has a Democratic majority. The House was pushing to finish just the education budgets this week and complete the remainder of the state department budgets later this summer or fall. The Senate was pushing to complete the full state budget at the same time. Additional items of difference include funding amounts, the way funding is appropriated, among many other differences.
The state’s next fiscal year begins on October 1, 2025. Stakeholders will continue to negotiate throughout the summer and into the fall if necessary.
