The following are summaries of governors’ budget requests for precollegiate education and highlights of proposals on the states’ education agendas.
NORTH DAKOTA
Governor: Edward T. Schafer (R)
FY 1995-97 proposed budget: $1.35 billion
FY 1995-97 proposed K-12 budget: $499.6 million
FY 1993-95 K-12 budget: $468.3 million Percent change K-12 budget: +6.7 percent
Highlights:
- Governor has proposed a $25.5 million fund--to be distributed outside the current aid formula--that would be earmarked for equalizing funding across districts.
- A proposal from Senate leaders would put an additional $35.5 million into a retooled aid formula.
- A proposal from education groups urges a half-cent state sales tax and a 2.25 percent boost in state income taxes. The plan would put an extra $151 million into the current funding formula.
NEW JERSEY
Governor: Christine Todd Whitman (R)
FY 1996 proposed state budget: $15.9 billion
FY 1996 proposed K-12 budget: $4.11 billion
FY 1995 K-12 budget: $3.93 billion
Percent change K-12 budget: +4.6 percent
Highlights:
- Governor proposed a $100 million increase in aid to poor districts in a move to comply with a state supreme-court mandate.
- She also proposed a one-third decrease in “transition aid” for wealthy districts.
- Penalties of less state aid proposed for districts that spend 30 percent more than the state average on administration.
- Governor will delay a proposed school-voucher plan for Jersey City at least one year by naming a commission to study the idea.
NEW MEXICO
Governor: Gary E. Johnson (R)
FY 1996 proposed state budget: $2.76 billion
FY 1996 proposed K-12 budget: $1.27 billion
FY 1995 K-12 budget: $1.22 billion
Percent change K-12 budget: +4.1 percent
Highlights:
- Governor proposed a 3 percent pay hike for all public school employees. Proposal would provide a minimum $22,000 salary for teachers and at least $6 an hour for noncertified school employees.
- Also proposed criminal-background checks and licensure fees for those seeking certification from the state board of education.
VIRGINIA
Governor: George F. Allen (R)
FY 1996 proposed state budget: $7.52 billion FY 1996 proposed K-12 budget: $2.7 billion FY 1995 K-12 budget: $2.6 billion Percent change K-12 budget: +3.8 percent
Highlights:
- Most of the proposed $100 million increase for public education is due to rising enrollment and a 2 percent hike in teacher salaries.
- The budget also includes $10 million in preschool programs for at-risk 4-year-olds.
- Governor’s proposals to promote charter schools and to make sex education optional have been rebuffed by state lawmakers.
