Industry News
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 […]
Committee to Review Education Gap Proposals (CT)
March 30, 2011
A Connecticut legislative committee is set to review several education proposals intended to help narrow the achievement gap between the state’s w ealthy and low-income students. The General Assembly’s education committee plans a public hearing Monday on a bill including more than a dozen proposals. They include letting certain school districts lengthen the school day […]
City’s Special Ed Students Being Shortchanged of Legally Mandated Help (NY)
March 30, 2011
Many special education students in city schools are not receiving legally mandated help to get them ready for college or a job, a new report found. The ARISE Coalition looked at 222 educational plans for students with disabilities and found that only a quarter of the students had any planning meeting – and more than […]
Special Education Programs Begin to Feel Budget Pinch (IL)
March 30, 2011
Special education teacher Colleen Kudla oversees a classroom of eight students with severe disabilities. Without the help of her three aides, Kudla says, she wouldn’t be able to manage class. "All the students are nonverbal," said Kudla, who teaches at Central Elementary School in southwest suburban Plainfield. "My biggest fear would be losing my staff." […]
10,000 Expected for School Funding Rally in Austin (TX)
March 30, 2011
AUSTIN — For nearly a month the nation has watched the massive protests and rallies in Madison, Wis., a state which, like Texas, is facing a multibillion-dollar revenue shortfall. Could Austin join Madis on and other state capitals where these kinds of rallies are becoming common? Organizers of an expected massive gathering called Rally to […]