The Senate met today and took up Senate Bill 1013, the Budget Bill, which had been passed by the House earlier in the week. The Senate did a strike and insert amendment for the budget that limits cuts to Medicaid and higher education through use of transfers and expected surpluses. Chairman Hall told the Senate that the bill was an agreed to version with the House of Delegates which includes $4.225 billion budget for general revenue. The bill returns to the House for their concurrence.
Also, the Senate passed SB 1006, increasing funding for the road fund. The House had adopted a House Finance ‘strike and insert’ amendment and passed the bill and the Senate amended it further and sent it back to the House.
The Senate also considered two similar measures relating to the sale of state owned hospitals. SB 1011, selling Hopemont Hospital, was rejected on concurrence and, HB 113, relating to the sale of Jackie Withrow Hospital by the DHHR, was passed and completed legislation.
