DOVER, Del. (AP) - The General Assembly's budget-writing committee is relying on cuts to nonprofit groups and money from a nationwide financial settlement to balance a spending plan for the fiscal year starting next week.
The Joint Finance Committee on Wednesday finished work on a $3.9 billion operating budget for fiscal 2016, roughly 2.5 percent higher than the current year's budget.
To help balance the budget, lawmakers agreed to use $25 million in one-time funds from a nationwide settlement involving mortgage-backed securities.
They also agreed to across-the-board cuts of 5 percent in grant funding for nonprofit groups and community agencies.
Committee members also decided to provide no funding next fiscal year for agricultural land and open space preservation programs.