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Some
of the most anti-public education items in Gov. McCallum's proposed
state budget are off the table, thanks to action by the co-chairs of
the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee.
Sen. Brian Burke and Rep. John Gard announced Monday (April 23, 2001) that they had agreed to remove 150 items in the governor's budget because they did not have a fiscal impact on the state and should be considered as separate policy.
Many of the items were opposed by the education community at public hearings the committee conducted over the last few weeks.
Some of the proposals that were removed would have allowed people with no college degrees to teach; allowed entities other than school districts to operate charter schools; and made issues including choice of health care providers, the school calendar and the layoff or reassignment of staff prohibited subjects of bargaining.
"Senator Burke and Representative Gard deserve a great deal of credit for removing these onerous provisions," WEAC President Terry Craney said. "We would especially like to thank Senator Burke who made removal of anti-public education items his top priority in negotiations.
"The Joint Committee on Finance heard the education community's testimony at public hearings throughout the state," Craney said. "Educators, administrators, parents and school board members made the case for removing these harmful ideas from the budget."
Craney cautioned that removal of the non-fiscal policy items does not mean the proposals are dead.
"These ideas could be reinstated in the budget at a later time," he said. "WEAC and other education groups will continue to monitor the budget very closely to make sure these items stay out of the budget."
Craney said the proposals could also be introduced as separate bills, meaning they go through the normal legislative committee process and receive greater public scrutiny. This process can help determine whether these policy initiatives will put kids in classrooms that work, maintain quality staff in schools and benefit everyone in the community.
"These are major policy changes that deserve full public debate," he said. "They should not be a few items in a budget containing thousands of proposals."
One education item that was not removed from the budget would set specific dates for school districts to hold referendums.
"We will continue to work to make sure that proposal is not in the final budget," Craney said.
Education policy items removed from the budget include:
Employment Relations Commission:
Public Instruction - Categorical Aids:
Public Instruction - Charter and Vouchers:
Public Instruction - Assessments and licensing:
Public Instruction - School District Operations:
Public Instruction - Administrative and Other Funding:
WTCS:
Resource page on 2001-2003 state budget
Posted April 24, 2001