The House of Representatives today (Saturday, April 9) passed its version of the 2011-13 state operating budget.

The House passed budget bill differed little from the version reported out of the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday. On Friday, 11 amendments were made to the House Ways and Means bill on the House floor. Only one of these amendments had fiscal impact. That amendment, which restored funding for the youth suicide program in the Department of Health, increased General Fund-State spending for the biennium by $170,000.

Attention now turns to the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which is expected to present it's budget proposal next week.