Education

Dear Educators:

We are beginning to work on the budget even though we are told that it is a “done deal.” The indication is that you will experience a 4.1%cut from last year’s budget and it appears to be 10% less than the 2009 budget. There is no adjustment for loss of stimulus or adjustments for flex benefit increases. There is talk of a supplemental funding proposal of $10 million for common education which will be taken from the Gross Production Ad Valorem Revolving Account. While this is helpful it fails to cover the full amount of the shortage of $16.2 million to this Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund. The current cash balance in this Fund is $3,999,879. After paying the last payment to counties this month the sum of $242,359, the remaining balance will be $3,757,520 at the end of May. With the June deposit estimated at $1,600,000 plus the $10 million of supplemental the total available for the June payment to schools would be approximately $15,357,520, leaving a balance of $6.2 million to be paid to schools after July 1^st. The final payment for schools would be in September or October. What we are saying is   that the Democratic caucus is fighting for that $6.2 million to create a level playing field for our schools.  If we are not successful in this we must maneuver to put pressure on the leadership to yield to this needed additional revenue. I may find myself and others voting against the emergencies on budget bills if this accommodation is not realized.

Rep. Ed Cannaday