By Sen. Mike Hewitt, Rep. Maureen Walsh and Rep. Terry Nealey

The 2015 session lasted much longer than anticipated – a record 176 days – but a number of good things came of this extended session. We passed a new, balanced, bipartisan operating budget that did not rely on new general tax increases. The new budget makes historic investments in early learning, K-12, higher education and the mental-health system. Additional funding was allocated to in-home health care providers, long-term care, and developmental-disability programs for our most vulnerable citizens. The Legislature also agre...