A state budget for the fiscal year that begins Friday has won solid approval in the House.
The vote was 132 to 68 Tuesday in favor of the $31 billion spending plan.
Most members agree it’s not perfect but they didn’t want a repeat of last year’s nine-month stalemate.
Local Rep. Daryl Metcalfe opposed this budget because he says the state is failing to live within its means.
“This budget is proposing to do what so many of us railed against last year and that is to spend what we don’t have,” Metcalfe said.
Some lawmakers complained that the plan increases revenue by expanding casino gambling and hiking cigarette taxes, while others say its spending priorities are misguided.
“I don’t see property tax relief in this budget like our taxpayers have continued to request and this is unacceptable,” local Rep. Jaret Gibbons said. He also voted against the plan. “While I applaud the increased investment in education and funding for opioid treatment, we need to find ways to control spending.”
The Senate will begin considering the plan Wednesday.
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