Republicans Limit Education Funding
Friday, May 24th, 2019 -- 11:55 AM
(WRN) -State Republicans say they're going to limit an increase to public education spending to 500 million dollars.State Republicans are defending their position on cutting back on the Governor's proposed 1 point 4 billion dollar boost to public education. State Senator Luther Olsen says the Legislature is still increasing spending on students.
"It's not like, well one guy has a proposal, and this is a cut from that. We're talking about a number that is an increase on an actual number that was spent."
Olsen says the Republican budget is a reasonable and prudent figure that reaches a goal of having the state provide 30 percent of a district's funding.
"And when I have talked to superintendents around the state, they're realistic. And they said 'If you can get us 30 percent, Luther, we will be very happy.'"
Olsen says the Republican plan will bring the state's balance in local education spending to 30 percent.
"Would they want more, yeah, everybody would want more, that's the way the world works. But today we're hitting thirty percent."
Democrats on the Joint Finance Committee blasted Republicans for limiting public education spending while continuing to increase funding for voucher schools.
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