Historic $11.6 billion in education spending heading to Alabama governor

Alabama lawmakers are sending a historic $8.8 billion education budget and $2.8 billion supplemental allocation to Gov. Kay Ivey after working past midnight Thursday and starting a new legislative day at 12:01 a.m. Friday to pass the spending bills.

The fiscal year 2024 education budget approved by lawmakers is $537 million, or 6.5%, higher than the current budget. The supplemental appropriation, which will be distributed during the current budget year, is more than twice last year’s $1.3 billion.

The education budget will send K-12 education $6 billion, a $363 million or 4.4% increase. Higher education will receive $2.3 billion, a $140 million or 1.7% increase.