On Friday, the Senate approved the budget proposed by the Ways and Means chair earlier last week, by a 30-18 vote. The final product is very close to the original proposal, which we detailed in a policy brief last week. As approved, near general fund-state plus opportunity pathways (NGFS+) appropriations for 2013-15 would total $33.349 billion — $15.1 million more than originally proposed.

Some of the changes in the approved version:

• It would not begin a cost sharing system for certain Medicaid populations, which would have saved the state $1.1 million.
• It would no longer pursue reconciliation of services provided by rural health clinics associated with certain payment methods, spending $3.6 million.
• It would reduce funding for civil legal aid by $3.0 million instead of $5.0 million.
• It would reduce instead of eliminate funding for the Northwest Agricultural Business Center, saving $200,000 instead of $549,000.
• It would not reduce funding for international trade services, which would have saved $580,000.
• It would not eliminate funding for the family prosperity account, which would have saved $467,000.
• It would reduce funding for Innovate Washington by $1.0 million less than proposed.
• It would fund ($976,000) expansion of the Individual and Family Support program (developmental disabilities).
• It would save $712,000 less than in the proposal by consolidating grants and programs within education reform.
• It would provide $500,000 for the Aerospace Student Loan Program.
• It would not reduce TVW funding, which would have saved $376,000.