The following are summaries of final action by legislatures on education-related matters.
CALIFORNIA
Governor: George Deukmejian (R)
FY 1991 state budget: $42.3 billion
FY 1991 K-12 budget: $15.84 billion
FY 1990 K-12 budget: $14.8 billion
Percent change K-12 budget: +7 percent
Highlights:
- Governor impounded $462 million in funds budgeted for education. But State Controller Gray Davis has continued to send districts payments from impounded appropriations.
- Governor vetoed $12.4 million for the California Assessment Program and other programs. Legislature later passed measure restoring the funds, but second veto was possible.
- Legislature passed bill requiring middle- and high-school students to receive aids education.
- Lawmakers rejected a proposal to amend the state constitution to allow for local bonds for school construction to be approved by a simple majority of voters, instead of the two-thirds vote now required.
MASSACHUSETTS
Governor: Michael S. Dukakis (D)
FY 1991 state budget: $13.4 billion
FY 1991 K-12 budget: $1.52 billion
FY 1990 K-12 budget: $1.57 billion
Percent change K-12 budget: -3.2 percent
Highlights:
- Legislature imposed spending cuts that are expected to lead to teacher and staff layoffs and substantial reductions in local aid.
- To counter budget deficit, lawmakers also adopted a tax package that levies an additional 10 cents per gallon on gasoline, increases the income tax from 5.75 percent to 6.25 percent, and expands the sales tax to cover a wide range of services.
MICHIGAN
Governor: James J. Blanchard (D)
FY 1991 state budget: $7.65 billion
FY 1991 K-12 budget: $2.73 billion
FY 1990 K-12 budget: $2.48 billion
Percent change K-12 budget: +10 percent
Highlights:
Senate narrowly rejected plan to increase education funding by $1.7 billion over next five years.
