Panel Gives School Fund A $1 Billion Boost (OR)
June 3, 2013
A key legislative subcommittee approved a $6.75 billion state school fund Thursday, boosting money to Oregon’s 197 school districts by $1 billion for the next two years.
The education budget subcommittee’s 5-1 vo te sets the stage for additional votes today and next week. The Legislature’s full budget committee is scheduled to vote today, with votes in both chambers expected next week.
The lone vote against on Thursday was cast by Sen. Fred Girod, R-Lyons, who said he still wants to see a grand deal that would reduce public-pension costs even more than lawmakers have approved already in exchange for $250 million in new revenue. A potential deal remains a possibility, but Girod afterward estimated its chances at 50-50.
“We can fix the problem or we can point fingers and blame the other party for the problem,” Girod said. “I want to fix the problem. … We need to come together, quit blaming the other side and get the job done.”
Republican leaders laid out public-pension proposals later Thursday, but it was uncertain whether they can rekindle talks with leaders of the majority Democrats. “The good news is we’re still talking,” Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber said later.
Although she voted for the schools budget, Rep. Sherrie Sprenger, R-Scio, said she hoped that such talks could produce more money for public schools, community colleges and universities.
“I still have a sophomore in high school who does not have what he needs, because there is not enough money in the district,” said Sprenger, a former member of the Lebanon School Board.
The March 4 plan by the Legislature’s chief budget writers se ts the amount at $6.75 billion, $1 billion more than in the current two-year cycle ending June 30.
The amount assumes about $200 million in savings from the public-pension system that lawmakers passed and Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed into law. So the actual cash amount in the budget is $6.55 billion.
“It is the first time in a number of years we have been able to increase school funding by a full $1 billion,” said Rep. Betty Komp, D-Woodburn, co-chairwoman of the budget subcommittee. “It is a moment to be thankful that our state and nation are in recovery and that we can start reinvesting in our schools.”
A key legislative subcommittee approved a $6.75 billion state school fund Thursday, boosting money to Oregon’s 197 school districts by $1 billion for the next two years.
The education budget subcommittee’s 5-1 vote sets the stage for additional votes today and next week. The Legislature’s full budget committee is scheduled to vote today, with votes in both chambers expected next week.
The lone vote against on Thursday was cast by Sen. Fred Girod, R-Lyons, who said he still wants to see a grand deal that would reduce public-pension costs even more than lawmakers have approved already in exchange for $250 million in new revenue. A potential deal remains a possibility, but G irod afterward estimated its chances at 50-50.
“We can fix the problem or we can point fingers and blame the other party for the problem,” Girod said. “I want to fix the problem. … We need to come together, quit blaming the other side and get the job done.”
Republican leaders laid out public-pension proposals later Thursday, but it was uncertain whether they can rekindle talks with leaders of the majority Democrats. “The good news is we’re still talking,” Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber said later.
Although she voted for the schools budget, Rep. Sherrie Sprenger, R-Scio, said she hoped that such talks could produce more money for public schools, community colleges and universities.
“I still have a sophomore in high school who does not have what he needs, because there is not enough money in the district,” said Sprenger, a former member of the Lebanon School Board.
The March 4 plan by the Legislature’s chief budget writers sets the amount at $6.75 billion, $1 billion more than in the current two-year cycle ending June 30.
The amount assumes about $200 million in savings from the public-pension system that lawmakers passed and Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed into law. So the actual cash amount in the budget is $6.55 billion.
“It is the first time in a number of years we have been able to increase sch ool funding by a full $1 billion,” said Rep. Betty Komp, D-Woodburn, co-chairwoman of the budget subcommittee. “It is a moment to be thankful that our state and nation are in recovery and that we can start reinvesting in our schools.”