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January 20, 2009 – Budget Cuts and Vouchers:  Incredible Timing

In what can only be described as bizarre timing, the General Assembly is considering creating a new voucher program when they are cutting public school funding.

The House Education Committee will take up Delegate Janis’s voucher bill, HB2104, Wednesday morning.  This bill grants a $36,000 voucher to parents of special education students for private school tuition.  Please call your delegate urging opposition to this bill.  Should we really be funding vouchers when we are cutting funds to public schools?

The Constituent Viewpoint Hotline numbers are 800-889-0229 or 804-698-1990.

Our Governor claims he has done his best to shield public education in his budget amendments.  Let’s see if the facts align with this claim.  K-12 makes up 36% of the adopted budget.  In 2010, K-12 “contributes” 47% of the reductions.  Does it look like education was cut less than other programs to you?

For FY2010, here is how the budget ax falls:

Higher Education cut 10.1%
K-12 Public Education cut 9.4%
Mental Health cut 4.0%
Medicaid cut 3.3%
Corrections cut 4.5%
All Other 8.3%

Draw your own conclusion.