One budget bill down, a bigger one yet to come

The House and Senate this morning voted out the early action savings bill to trim an additional $242 million for the budget and put us on track to be in the black the rest of the 2011 budget year. The agreement came after several weeks of negotiations between House and Senate leaders from both sides of the aisle.

The Senate passed the bill on a strongly bi-partisan vote of 37-10. The House voted on partisan lines at 55-41.

The Governor signed the budget bill this afternoon with her eye already towards the next budget challenge - bridging a $4.6 billion shortfall for the next biennium. She wrote:

"As I sign this appropriations bill, the 2011 legislative session is a little more than one-third complete. Many issues of critical importance to our state must still be addressed. I commit to working with you to craft a timely and responsible budget for the 2011-13 biennium."