House passes $25 billion Colo. budget for next year

House lawmakers approved a $25 billion budget for Colorado’s next fiscal year that includes funding increases for education and sets aside surplus tax refunds.

Most of the spending goes to schools, colleges, health care and prisons, and the majority of the funds include federal money that lawmakers have little control over. Of the $25 billion, only about $9.6 billion is under their control, a pot of money called the general fund. Of that, $2.5 billion goes to schools.

There’s also $70 million for refunds required by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.

The budget’s approval came on a bipartisan 45-20 vote Thursday in the Democrat-controlled House. Eleven Republicans joined every Democrat voting yes.

The Senate has already passed the budget, which takes effect July 1. The chambers will rectify differences before sending it to the governor.