In much less time and with much less debate than the state budget, the Republican-led Senate approved a $121 million capital budget to fund building improvements across state government. It passed on a voice vote.
The Senate eliminated $665,000 sought by House leaders to paint the ceiling in Representatives Hall, which Speaker Shawn Jasper has said is peeling.
“The staging was three-quarters of the cost,” said Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, a Manchester Democrat who chairs the Capital Budget Committee. “I will get on a ladder and I will paint it. I’ll do it at a fraction of the cost, a fraction.”
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and the House had included the painting costs in their capital budget blueprints. The House will likely request a committee of conference with the Senate to try to work out a compromise deal.
The Senate plan includes $12 million to renovate the Rochester CTE Center, while the House plan removed that money. The Senate plan stripped $2 million the House had included to fund a public boat ramp on Lake Sunapee.
The Senate approved an $11.8 billion state budget Wednesday night after a 10-hour session.
(Allie Morris can be reached at 369-3307 or amorris@cmonitor.com.)