State Rep. Sarah Lightner, the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement in support of the 2023-24 state budget:

“Chair Witwer and I worked well together, and you see many of the priorities of my caucus reflected in these bills.

“One area where this budget shines is in its commitment to education. It recognizes that our children deserve the best possible start in life by continuing our commitment to investing in education at historic levels. It also recognizes the critical need to make schools safer and more secure for our kids. It will help more schools add school resource officers and make additional security improvements, ensuring that our students can learn and grow in an environment free from fear.

“The commitment to fiscal responsibility displayed in this budget must also be applauded. The prudent decision to allocate resources toward paying down debt is a testament to responsible stewardship of our state’s finances. By reducing our debt burden, we create a stronger foundation for the future and free up resources that can be allocated to other pressing needs in years to come. 

“While this budget may not be perfect, I recognize and appreciate its many strengths. It reflects a vision for our state’s future, emphasizing shared priorities like education, school safety, public safety, local infrastructure, mental health care, and fiscal responsibility.”

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