Beginning this week, Legislative Update will include summaries of final action by legislatures on education-related matters. It also will continue to summarize governors’ budget requests for precollegiate education and highlights of their legislative agendas as they are announced.
Governors’ Proposals
FLORIDA
Governor:
Bob Martinez (R)
FY 1989 proposed state budget:
$9.19 billion
FY 1989 proposed K-12 budget:
$6.37 billion
FY 1988 K-12 budget:
$5.8 billion
Percent change K-12 budget:
+9.8 percent
Highlights
Proposes Project care, a multi-agency initiative to address educational and social needs of disadvantaged children. Includes $20 million for preschool services; $16.5 million for child-protective services; $7.9 million to increase welfare payments to children; $7.2 million to expand day-care programs; $3.8 million for community-based alternatives to incarceration for juvenile offenders; and $3.7 million to expand existing education and job-training program for teen-age mothers on welfare.
No funding for career-ladder program. Education department has asked for $16 million to pilot test such a program in three districts.
Would double funding for merit-schools program, from $10 million to $20 million.
RHODE ISLAND
Governor:
Edward D. DiPrete (R)
FY 1989 proposed state budget:
$1.37 billion
FY 1989 proposed K-12 budget:
$394 million
FY 1988 K-12 budget:
$362 million
Percent change K-12 budget:
+9 percent
Highlights
12.5 percent increase in aid to districts.
$1 million in new funding for literacy and dropout prevention.
$4 million for early-childhood initiatives, including mandatory kindergarten for 5-year-olds, half-day pre-kindergarten for “at risk” 4-year-olds, and “Governor’s schools” to test innovative strategies for early education.
26.5 percent increase in day-care funding.
$375,000 for an alternative community residence for emotionally troubled children.
Final Action
NEW MEXICO
Governor:
Garrey E. Carruthers (R)
FY 1989-90 state budget:
$1.5 billion
FY 1989-90 K-12 budget:
$803 million
FY 1987-88 K-12 budget:
$771 million
Percent change K-12 budget:
+4 percent
Highlights
Approved package of bills to “fine tune” state’s two-year-old reform program. Among the changes: districts required to offer kindergarten; class sizes reduced in English courses in grades 7-12; postponed for one year several requirements relieving teachers of non-instructional duties.
Rejected Governor’s request to block-grant state aid to schools.
Passed a sweeping welfare-reform bill that will force some teen-age mothers to enroll in school or job training or risk losing benefits.
Authorized creation of a cabinet-level department to coordinate non-educational state programs affecting young people.
Approved a 1.6-percent increase in teacher salaries.
Authorized a $50.5-million bond referendum for school construction and renovation.
