Analysts: recent supplementals add about $110 million to FY2026, leaving roughly $37.9M estimated for FY2027

Noah Peterson, a budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, briefed the joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees on the general‑fund "green sheet," highlighting recent changes and the committee’s current fiscal posture.

Peterson said two recent supplementals — population‑adjustment payments for Medicaid and the Department of Corrections — together increased FY2026 appropriations by about $110,000,000. That change, he said, is reflected in an estimated FY2026 ending balance of roughly $45.3 million and a preliminary FY2027 estimated ending balance near $37.9 million.

"Those two actions combined added about a $110,000,000 to the fiscal year 2026 appropriation," Peterson said, summarizing the major drivers of the revision. He noted other committee actions that affected the sheet, including deficiency warrants and a $124,900 action for the Department of Lands for fire preparedness.

Peterson walked members through specific lines on the packet, pointing out that the FY2027 enhancement line had grown as multiple budget requests were set in the prior week and a half. He said the $141,129,200 amount shown for fiscal‑year‑2027 enhancements reflects items approved so far this session, while the ending balance was still subject to change as remaining budgets are resolved.

Members pressed for details on several large pending budgets. Peterson and other analysts said public‑school support and Department of Health and Welfare requests remain among the largest items yet to be finalized.

Why it matters: the green‑sheet briefing gave members a shared numeric baseline ahead of votes on department budget adjustments. The committee will continue reconciling one‑time and ongoing decisions that affect whether savings are structural (ongoing) or temporary (one‑time), an important distinction for agencies and employees.

The committee did not take a final vote on the green‑sheet itself; it used the briefing to frame subsequent agenda votes and follow‑up requests for more precise line‑item information.