The following are summaries of governors’ budget requests for precollegiate education and highlights of proposals that rank high on the states’ education agendas. Final legislative action on state budgets will be reported in the months ahead.
WASHINGTON
Governor: Booth Gardner (D)
FY 1992-93 proposed state budget: $15.4 billion
FY 1992-93 proposed K-12 budget: $6.9 billion
FY 1990-91 K-12 budget: $6 billion
Percent change K-12 budget: +13 percent
Highlights:
Governor calling for the elimination of most state education requirements; in return, students would have to meet statewide performance standards. Budget proposal includes $1.7 million for a commission to develop these standards.
Also proposes fully funding preschool for all low-income 4-year-olds.
Teachers earmarked to receive raises of 4.4 percent the first year and 3.8 percent the second year of the biennium.
WYOMING
Governor: Mike Sullivan (D)
FY 1992 proposed state budget: $2.4 billion
FY 1992 proposed K-12 budget: $198.1 million
FY 1991 K-12 budget: $202.8 million
Percent change K-12 budget: -2.3 percent
Highlights:
Governor calling for creation of a “Centennial Education Trust Fund,’' into which would go $12.5 million a year for the next four years, creating a $50-million trust. Half of the interest from the trust would support “innovative programs,” early-childhood education, and administrator training in the public schools. The rest would fund college-level projects.
Also urging legislature to consider increasing state aid to schools, with most or all of the increase to be used for teachers’ salaries.
