In letters to House Speaker David Wilkins and Lt. Gov. Bob Peeler, the Governor said the budget largely reflects the goals he laid out in his executive budget earlier this year. "More importantly, however, the work this year reflected the goals and aspirations of our people," the Governor wrote.
The budget includes funding for:
LIFE Scholarships, giving families with deserving students a tuition
break.
The Accountability Act of 1998, which arose out of the Governor's PASS Commission standards. The funding will set up the testing that will measure whether students are meeting those standards.
Other major education initiatives, including increased funding for teacher pay, school buses and textbooks.
increased nursing home beds
unlimited prescriptions for children
water quality testing.
The Governor praised the General Assembly for rejecting any tax increases, as he has advocated for his entire term. In fact, lawmakers and the Governor continue to work hard at sharing economic growth with the people who generate it: the taxpayers.
The tax relief funded in the 1998-99 budget brings the total tax relief given during the Beasley Administration to more than $1 billion.
The Governor reiterated his intentions to pursue banning video poker and enacting meaningful car tax relief.