The following are summaries of governors’ budget requests for precollegiate education and highlights of proposals that rank high on the states’ education agendas.
OREGON
Governor: Barbara Roberts (D)
FY 1991-93 state budget: $5.7 billion
FY 1991-93 K-12 budget: $2.35 billion
Highlights
- State is facing a projected $1-billion deficit, with reduced revenues caused by Measure 5, a 1990 state ballot initiative capping property taxes.
- Governor is evaluating a number of proposals to create a more streamlined, efficient government, including consolidation of K-12 and higher-education boards into a single board of regents.
- In planning their budgets for the 1993-95 biennium, state agencies are being asked to prepare budgets at 80 percent of the previous two-year budget, after inflation adjustments.
- Basic school support and the education department are expected to have their 1993-95 budgets reduced by $670 million.
WISCONSIN
Governor: Tommy G. Thompson (R)
FY 1993 proposed state budget: $6.92 billion
FY 1993 proposed K-12 budget: $2.27 billion
FY 1992 K-12 budget: $2.18 billion
Percent change K-12 budget: +4.2 percent
Highlights
- Governor has proposed a measure aimed at encouraging teenage parents on welfare to stay with their families; in addition, he has recommended expanding the state’s “Learnfare’’ program to younger children.
- Budget includes $1.6 million to develop state testing system that would include performance-based tests for students in grades 8 and 10 and student portfolios in grades 4, 8, and 10.
- Another $7.5 million would be set aside as an incentive for schools to lengthen the academic year.
- Spending plan also would boost state funds for Head Start by $2.9 million; in addition, an additional $300,000 would be set aside for pilot preschool programs in which schools and social-services agencies work together.
- Governor has also proposed allowing school principals to revoke the work permits of students who have failing grades or are disciplinary problems.
