Delaware lawmakers begin drafting budget

(AP) – Members of the Delaware legislature's budget-writing committee have begun drafting a spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Joint Finance Committee is using the current year's budget as a template for next year's budget.

On Monday, members agreed to shave $100 off a current $500 a year property tax credit for senior citizens. The move, if it wins final approval, is expected to save the state $5 million annually.

Committee members punted, however, on making state employees, who pay an average of only about 10 percent of their health care premiums, pay, on average, three percent more per month.

Budget writers also delayed a vote on eliminating a provision under which married couples who are both state employees or retirees to pay a combined monthly premium of only $25.