Statement from Rep. Jessyn Farrell on passage of 2016 supplemental budget

Rep. Jessyn Farrell, D-46 has issued the following statement regarding her vote in support of the 2016 Supplemental Budget agreement that passed out of the legislature today.

“At the beginning of the legislative session, I came together with a group of colleagues calling for action this session on the pressing issues facing our K-12 students. Today, I voted for operating and capital budgets that make investments in the most critical areas – keeping homeless students near their schools; easing the teacher shortage; improving the opportunity gap; and reducing overcrowded classrooms.

“While I am disappointed that the legislature is not making more progress on our moral and legal obligation to fully fund K-12 education, I voted to take important steps to improve the academic outlook for many of our students. House Democrats are committed to rebuilding the middle class and we know that a great education provides a pathway to future success.

“In addition to the investments in education, I supported a budget that addressed some of the emergencies facing our state, including improvements to the state’s mental health system; increasing wages for family child care providers; and giving state parks the funding needed to provide us all with great opportunities to get outside.”