The following are summaries of final action by legislatures on education-related matters.
GEORGIA
Governor: Joe Frank Harris (D)
FY 1991 state budget: $7.78 billion
FY 1991 K-12 budget: $2.82 billion
FY 1990 K-12 budget: $2.6 billion
Percent change K-12 budget: +8.5 percent
Highlights:
Budget includes graduated pay raises for teachers, averaging 6 percent.
Also includes $7.1 million for middle-school counselors and in-school- suspension programs.
Legislature approved only $28.3 million of $86 million sought by state board of education to fully fund programs called for in state’s Quality Basic Education Act.
WISCONSIN
Governor: Tommy G. Thompson (R)
FY 1990-91 state budget: $12.3 billion
FY 1990-91 K-12 budget: $3.8 billion
K-12 change for FY 91: $54.7 million
Highlights:
Legislature passed law giving nearly 1,000 Milwaukee public-school students the option of attending nonsectarian private schools at state expense.
Budget includes $16.3 million to help replace or repair aging school buildings.
Also includes $500,000 to help Milwaukee public schools provide alternative programs for students receiving sanctions under state’s Learnfare program.
Lawmakers effectively killed measure providing for referendum on proposed constitutional amendment to stop using local property taxes to finance schools.
WYOMING
Governor: Mike Sullivan (D)
FY 1991-92 state budget: $724.5 million
FY 1991 K-12 budget: $204 million
FY 1990 K-12 budget: $218 million
Percent change K-12 budget: -6.4 percent
Highlights:
K-12 budget, which is prepared annually by education department, is not included in state’s biennial budget.
Under state’s funding formula, an expected increase in local resources resulted in decrease in state’s share.
Legislature directed districts to release annual “report card” on performance.
Lawmakers also directed state board of education to develop goals and accountability measures.
Lawmakers defeated Governor’s proposal to establish education trust fund to finance innovative district programs.
