All articles tagged with #education funding
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.
North Carolina lawmakers announced a budget deal that would raise starting teacher pay to $48,000 (about $53,000 with local supplements), deliver an average 8% raise for teachers plus tenure-based one-time bonuses, and provide sizable raises for state employees and law enforcement (roughly 13% on average, with larger boosts for SBI/ALE and other agencies). The package also includes 3% raises for principals and other school personnel; raises would take effect in the new fiscal year if the bill passes before July 1, with bonuses paid on July 1. The deal remains to be filed into legislation and awaits Gov. Stein’s signature.
Colorado voters will decide in November whether to allow the state to keep TABOR refunds and raise the cap to match the maximum annual K-12 spending, starting with a 2% increase in K-12 funding (about $107 million in year one) and directing the rest of any surplus to other kids’ programs; at least half of each year's TABOR surplus would go to K-12, with full implementation expected to take about a decade, and the measure does not require governor approval to appear on the ballot. Supporters say it would boost teacher pay and reduce turnover; opponents worry about expanding government beyond the cap.
Gov. Tony Evers and GOP leaders unveiled an about $1.8 billion plan to spend Wisconsin’s budget surplus on tax relief and education, including $850 million in direct payments, eliminating state income tax on overtime pay and tipped earnings, and boosting K-12 funding by $600 million, while leaving the rainy-day fund intact. The package would mail up to $600 per married couple or $300 per person to roughly 3 million residents by November, but drew criticism from Senate Democrats and gubernatorial candidates who call it expensive; leaders say votes are likely after a special-session path, with the budget committee moving it on Tuesday and full Legislature debate possible as early as Wednesday.
In the May 5, 2026 primary, Ohio voters rejected most new property and income tax levies for K-12 schools (24 of 66 passed), while about 3 in 4 renewal levies were approved. The results suggest fatigue with new school funding via tax hikes despite aging district infrastructure and state funding gaps, leaving districts to consider potential cuts. Libraries fared better overall, and the broader political context includes debates over public versus private education funding and calls for cost-cutting or consolidation in schools.
Thousands of educators and supporters marched in Raleigh for pay raises and more funding for public schools, organized by the North Carolina Association of Educators as part of the May Day Strong movement; the event prompted at least 22 districts to cancel classes, featured a Petey Pablo performance, and centered on pressing lawmakers to back Senate Bill 943, the Kids Over Corporations Act, to boost education funding in the state.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy to decide whether Colorado can exclude Catholic preschools from its universal pre-K program for not enrolling children with same-sex parents, testing how religious freedom interacts with state anti-discrimination laws. Lower courts upheld the state's authority to require compliance, and the Trump administration backs the Catholic schools. The case appears unlikely to overturn Employment Division v. Smith but could clarify when states must grant exemptions in universal programs under RFRA and related doctrine, with Colorado’s program funded by tobacco taxes and aimed at providing 15 hours of preschool weekly.
LAUSD faces a coordinated strike by UTLA, SEIU Local 99, and AALA with about 70,000 employees set to walk out, potentially shutting down classes for around 520,000 students. The unions demand roughly a 17% pay raise over two years and staffing improvements, while the district emphasizes its offers and financial constraints; an April 14 deadline looms as talks continue, with contingency plans like food distribution, take-home instruction, and childcare in place if the strike proceeds.
Montgomery County Executive Elrich proposes a roughly 6% increase to the property tax rate to bolster funding for MCPS as part of the county’s new budget plan.
Democrat-led Washington state Senate approved a 9.9% income tax on residents earning over $1 million to fund education, prisons, universal school lunches and other programs, with Gov. Ferguson expected to sign. Supporters cite budget pressures and public sentiment, while critics warn about potential business impact and legal challenges, including a ballot repeal effort and constitutional questions around how income is treated.
After a 24-hour-plus floor debate, the Washington House approved a 9.9% tax on households earning over $1 million by a 51-46 vote (one excused). Democrats say the Millionaires’ Tax would raise up to $3 billion for education, health care, and public safety; Republicans call it a delay tactic and warn it could impact smaller earners and businesses. If signed by Governor Ferguson, the measure would take effect in 2029 and moves to the governor’s desk as the session wraps up.
A coalition of Wisconsin school districts and teachers filed a lawsuit against the state Legislature, seeking increased funding for K-12 education, arguing current allocations are insufficient to meet student needs and duties under state law.