All articles tagged with #education funding
France faces its largest student protests in decades, with 250,000 demonstrators demanding better school funding. Police used tear gas in Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg, leading to 488 arrests and severe injuries, including a 15-year-old losing a hand. The government faces criticism for its response, while student unions vow to continue protesting until demands are met.
The U.S. Treasury Department has released the final rules for the 'Education Freedom Tax Credit,' a federal program allowing donors to claim a 100% tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations. The program, set to launch on January 1, 2027, is projected to generate $26 billion in annual donations by 2030, funding private school tuition, tutoring, and special education services. While supporters argue it expands educational options, critics warn it may divert resources from public schools and exacerbate racial disparities. Democratic governors face increasing pressure to decide whether their states will participate in the voluntary federal initiative.
New Texas laws taking effect today touch consumers, schools, and businesses: HB 2963 expands access to repair parts and info for consumers and independent shops (excluding cars, appliances, and gaming consoles); solar purchases gain protections including company registration, insurance, licensed contractors, and a 5-day cancellation window; funding for special education shifts to follow the level of student support with clearer reporting; gold and silver are recognized as legal tender under specified rules; other bills expand district courts, CPS oversight, solar cost-benefit analyses for rooftop solar outside ERCOT, and more, reflecting a broad state policy update.
California's Sacramento City Unified School District risks state receivership after county officials rejected its $158 million solvency plan, which relied on shifting existing funds and a new labor agreement to close a large budget gap; the board will consider appealing to the state superintendent at a special meeting, as critics warn the plan borrows from retiree health funds and other earmarked money and would incur long-term costs.
A Midland ISD lawsuit renews Texas’ long-running fight over the “Robin Hood” recapture funding system, arguing state control over local funds limits district autonomy; advocates warn that ditching recapture could widen inequities. The piece explains how recapture works, tracks near $3 billion in rerouted funds in 2024–25 and about $45.5 billion total since inception, and places the dispute in the broader political push to reform or abolish property taxes in Texas.
The University of Silicon Valley has launched the Max Achievement Scholarship, awarding up to $15,000 a year to students who can demonstrate exceptional gaming mastery through their Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam achievement histories. The program features two tiers, Legendary and Mastery, with Legendary offering up to $5,000 per term for ultra-rare, 500+ hour accomplishments across complex game systems (paid across three terms).
BBC reports on the launch of Trump Accounts, a new US children’s savings scheme offering a $1,000 starter for babies born 2025–2028 and up to $5,000 yearly contributions, invested in a low-cost index fund; while officials say it expands stock ownership for kids, critics say it’s too complex and may mainly help relatively well-off families; as of launch, about six million families had signed up and deposits reached around $125 million, with projected outcomes ranging from roughly $6,000 by 18 with no further contributions to potentially $271,000 with max annual input.
After nearly 24 hours, Michigan lawmakers approved an $84 billion budget for FY2027 and sent 67 policy bills to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, missing the July 1 deadline but avoiding a government shutdown; the package relies on accounting tricks to mask federal education funding shifts, increases per-pupil funding and literacy investments, includes $125 million in earmarks, and rejects new taxes while reallocating funds elsewhere.
Lawmakers in Michigan approved about an $84 billion state budget after a near day-long marathon, closing a $1 billion revenue gap with spending shifts that pull more money to higher education and literacy efforts while cutting several programs and departments (including Pure Michigan and arts funding). The plan increases the per-pupil foundation and raises literacy funding, boosts university funding, and includes $125 million for special projects, alongside a move to expand a brownfield incentive and a measure barring former lawmakers from lobbying for two years after leaving office. The process came after months of negotiation and late votes well past the deadline.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber certified the California Billionaire Tax Act, sending it to the November ballot. The measure would impose a one-time 5% wealth tax on assets such as art, stocks and bonds to raise about $100 billion to backfill federal funding cuts to K-12 education, Medi-Cal, and CalFresh. Critics warn it could worsen the state’s budget gap and drive billionaires to relocate, while supporters say it would address inequality and ensure the wealthy pay their fair share; the debate is underscored by high-profile relocations of billionaires like Zuckerberg and Page/Brin.
Illinois Senate filed a late, roughly $55.9 billion FY2027 budget with revenue specifics still undisclosed; the plan preserves pension funding and K-12 funding, keeps local funding intact, and includes a school-supplies sales tax holiday along with a freeze on the 1.3-cent gas tax increase. Lawmakers would receive about a 3% pay raise; funding relies on fund sweeps, and a separate Budget Implementation Bill would provide a one-time $400 payment for SNAP beneficiaries affected by new federal rules under the FRESH program. Adjournment is imminent as tax details remain under negotiation.
Gov. Jeff Landry proposes diverting about $150 million from the K-12 funding formula’s non-instructional programs to cover a planned $2,000 teacher stipend, a plan that would require an executive order after the session and two-thirds legislative approval by mail and could affect administrator funding and other state employee raises if teachers’ pay is protected.
Jeff Bezos said on CNBC that New York City's public-school spending (about $44,000 per student) is inefficient and wouldn’t be tolerated in business, arguing funds don’t reach teachers and calling for root-cause solutions rather than higher taxes on the wealthy; NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded, while Bezos and the family later pledged up to $150 million for early childhood education in NYC (including a $100 million donation and $25 million contingent on matching funds) to support expanded childcare programs.
Louisiana voters rejected four of five constitutional amendments backed by Gov. Jeff Landry, including Amendment 3 to guarantee teacher pay raises, as anger over the governor’s redistricting map and the abolition of an elected New Orleans court clerk spurred turnout and opposition from Black and Democratic groups.
Missouri lawmakers are weighing a ballot measure to eliminate the state income tax, potentially paired with a sales tax expansion, a move supporters say would boost competitiveness and give residents more take-home pay; critics warn it could devastate public education funding and hit lower- and middle-income families hardest, citing Kansas' 2010s tax cuts that left a budget shortfall and districts cutting time and money for schools. The plan's supporters argue revenue growth could offset losses, but evidence from other states is mixed and opponents question whether a switch to higher sales taxes would really help the budget or residents.