Day: April 30, 2019

The Legislature passed a $4.9-billion 2019-2021 capital budget shortly before adjournment of the Legislature. The total includes $3.2 billion from proceeds of state general-obligation bonds. This is a significant increase over the previous biennial capital budget, which totaled $4.4 billion.

A billion dollars in new taxes and an 18 percent increase in spending are highlights of the state biennial budget passed by the Legislature Sunday night, just 15 minutes before a midnight deadline to adjourn.

Lawmakers adopted a $9.8 billion transportation budget for the 2019-20 biennium. The two year budget provides additional investments for a new 144-car hybrid electric ferry, conversion of an existing ferry, and terminal improvements.

In a surprise and last-minute move, the Legislature passed Initiative 1000 which would once again allow affirmative action programs in the state.