Several weeks ago we worked on a budget proposal based on the recommendations of the various appropriations committees. That has turned out to be very much a starting point for many conversations and negotiations since that point. Today the last piece of the puzzle fell into place as we were able to address the funding for public education. While we are not funding for new growth (debate continues as to whether this is a “real” cut or not–either way it is important to recognize that fully funding for new growth would require $75 million so you come to your own conclusions as to what it really means when we say we’re “holding education harmless” and still not funding growth) a conversation has been taking place over the past couple of days over if additional cuts would need to be made in public education. Somewhere in the ballpark of $21 million. As a frame of reference, last year $293 million was cut from public education. We then backfilled that money and have converted that to on-going. The total real cut seen last year was around 5% and for this year it is an additional 1.5%. The Senate is standing strong on two things: no additional dipping into the Rainy Day fund which currently sits at $210 million and exacting a $21 million additional cuts to public education, which translates into a 2% cut. After hours of caucus discussion yesterday and today we finally achieved a caucus position on restoring the proposed $6.3 million for public education transportation from the tobacco trust fund. Translation: public education sustained a $13.8 million cut, which brings their two year total to 6.5%. We’re hoping House leadership can achieve some consensus from the Senate leadership on this budget proposal.
