The House Appropriations Committee advanced a budget bill that includes a $160 million increase in basic education funding. But some Democrats on the committee voted against the budget agreement, lamenting the potential loss of the general assistance program.
The ranking Democrat on the appropriations committee, Matt Bradford of Montgomery County, said that there is “much good news” in the budget, but “In this budget, in this year, the idea that we cannot increase the minimum wage is truly a lost opportunity that I think should be noted.”
Majority leader Bryan Cutler was mum when asked about minimum wage discussions.
“I won’t comment on private discussions. I think what we should be focused on, rather – and what I think this budget does do – is focus on those jobs that pay far more than minimum wage. It’s the career and technical based jobs," Cutler said.
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The budget would transfer the entire state surplus – a minimum of $250 million – into the rainy day fund.