The legislature adjourned the 2021 session yesterday but not before passing a 1100-page budget that addresses many of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As lead Senate budget writer, Sen. Christine Rolfes, said: “With this budget, we will continue to lead the nation. You’ve heard it said before that a budget is a moral document, it shows our collective values, and provides a blueprint for our shared future together…Today, we show that this legislature can work effectively for the people, even in the midst of an emergency.”
We are truly grateful to all of you who took the time to contact your legislators, testify on bills, sign in support for bills, and meet with your legislators in the interim. With your help, we were able to achieve an unprecedented number of budget and policy wins that will improve the lives of children and families.
We are very pleased to report that the final budget does include funding to raise Medicaid rates by 21% - which appears to be a compromise between the 30% specified in the Senate budget and 15% specified in the House budget. The increase will take effect on October 1, 2021.
