Industry News
Department of Education Cuts to Affect Technology, Student Aid (SD)
March 30, 2011
In addition to reducing per-student payments to schools by 10 percent next year, the South Dakota Department of Education plans to cut back on technology upgrades and reimbursements for students who take Advanced Placement classes and exams. Education officials detailed their proposed 2012 budget Wednesday before the Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee. Gov. Dennis Daugaard has […]
House Floats Plan to Keep Government Running, Scrap K-12 Programs (US)
March 30, 2011
Again, good and bad news for fans of education spending. The good news: The House Appropriations Committee has introduced a bill to keep the government afloat for the next two weeks. If the measure is approved by the U.S. Senate and signed by President Barack Obama, it would temporarily avert a shutdown, and give lawmakers […]
Jerry Brown Taps Trusted Former Aide for Key Cabinet Position (CA)
March 30, 2011
When Jerry Brown collided with lawmakers during his first stint as governor — having his vetoes overridden, being ejected from the Senate on an unannounced visit — he relied on his 28-year-old legislative secretary, Diana Dooley, to smooth things over. "Her job back then was pretty tough," the once-again governor admits. More than 30 years […]
To Cap Medicaid, Florida Looks To Managed Care (FL)
March 30, 2011
In Tallahassee, Florida’s Legislature has one overriding goal this session: to close a $4.5 billion budget shortfall. And one of the key programs it is targeting for cuts is Medicaid. In Florida and every other state, the program, which provides health insurance for the needy, makes up a big chunk of the annual budget. In […]
State House Panel OKs $18.25 Billion Georgia Budget (GA)
March 30, 2011
A Georgia House panel on Thursday approved an $18.25 billion state budget that restores funding for some low-income Medicaid recipients but also boosts health insurance costs for state employees. The Hous e Appropriations Committee voted 59-1 to OK the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Georgia is facing the loss of […]
Arizona Senate Approves Republican Budget Plan (AZ)
March 30, 2011
< ;span style=”font-weight: bold;”>PHOENIX–The Arizona Senate late Wednesday approved a budget-balancing plan with spending cuts in health care, education and other services that majority Republicans called overdue to fit state spending to state revenue. "We are in trouble, and we are doing the responsible thing, but it’s not the easy thing and it’s the sad […]
N.J. Judge Finds Christie’s Cuts to School Aid Unconstitutional (NJ)
March 30, 2011
State aid cuts have left school districts across New Jersey unable to provide a constitutionally mandated “thorough and efficient” education, especially for the state’s poorer students, judge appointed by the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. It’s now left to the Supreme Court to decide what, if anything, to do about that. The court could order more […]
Cuomo, Legislature Strike a Deal on Budget (NY)
March 30, 2011
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and lawmakers on Sunday said they reached agreement on a $132.5 billion budget plan that lowers spending slightly, avoids tax hikes and grants the administration much more authority to manage the flow of Medicaid dollars. The governor’s handshake deal with legislative leaders isn’t yet enshrined into law, and important details about the […]
House Education Appropriations Committee Amends Funding Bill
March 30, 2011
JEFFERSON CITY — The House Education Appropriations Committee approved Tuesday the majority of Gov. Jay Nixon’s education funding recommendations with few alterations. The committee did not discuss the school funding formula or Nixon’s in-state tuition freeze agreement; instead they focused on primary and secondary education issues. Several amendments were proposed for addition to the bill, […]
Mt. Diablo School District Mulls Next Steps as Budget Woes Loom (CA)
March 30, 2011
Although the Mt. Diablo school board declined Tuesday to close a third school to save money, questions remain on how the district will meet its goal of saving $1.5 million. In presenting alternatives to the closure, Superintendent Steven Lawrence did not show specifically how much his recommendations would save, but he said that staff members […]