Welfare programs vie for second chance in budget

(AP) - Welfare, mental health and autism programs are vying for a chance to get back into the governor's budget after $120 million in additional funding was located.

Included on the add-back priority list are room and board payments for mentally ill youth, autism programs, emergency medical services, youth correctional camps, a substance abuse treatment agency and support for family members providing foster care for relatives.

The governor's office has not ranked the programs on the priority list. State agencies spoke to legislators at a hearing Thursday to lay out their cases for getting the funds.

The extra money was announced late last month and comes as the federal government is contributing more than expected to Medicaid programs. Revenues from mining and other taxes are also expected to exceed initial projections.