NASHVILLE – Tennessee lawmakers on Thursday gave final approval to the state’s nearly $35 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1, sending the measure on to Gov. Bill Haslam.
Representatives voted 87-7 for the budget bill. Senators approved it earlier on a 32-1 vote.
Haslam played the dominant role in shaping the 2016-2017 budget and is expected to sign it.
It includes a quarter billion dollars in new funding for K-12 education, $165 million more for higher education and also returns $142 million to the state highway fund, which was taken prior to Haslam’s taking office in 2010.
The spending plan provides pay raises for teachers, state workers and higher education employees.