(Click on the Map)
The machine is beginning to crank it up. The defense of the House budget is just beginning.
In case you've missed it, the Virginia House of Delegates has proposed a biennial budget that plays games with education funding. The House plan, if adopted will manage to give most of the required new money for Standards of Quality (SOQ) re-benchmarking for the two year term, but it's the devil in the details that really hamstrings the future. Beginning in the years after this budget runs its course, the formula that currently is in compliance with the state constitution and code, will be altered so that future increases in education funding will be capped. Looking ahead, there will be dramatic implications for education funding as noted on the Google Map at the top. Roanoke County will be negatively impacted in 2010 losing $66 per student. Other localities will be hit even harder.
Be prepared for the assault from the House Lawyer Corps. They will no doubt tell us that the VEA is some kind of misguided, wacky special interest group that is misrepresenting the facts. You will most certainly hear House mouthpieces harrumph with exasperation over VEA's characterization that the House budget reduces education funds. They will note that they are increasing money for education, and that there's no way an increase can be a reduction. They won't stop there. They will loudly proclaim that they have a clear vision of how to employ fiscally responsible methods and principles to manage the education component in the budget without raising taxes.
Their claims will be presented as gospel with bully tones. Do not allow yourself to be misguided and bullied; the House budget is bad medicine for education in Virginia.
Budget conferees are discussing the budget possibilities in Richmond. You can affect a positive outcome for education by writing to them and letting them know where you stand. VEA has made this communication very easy, just take action!
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