HB 273—K-12 Education Funding:
Governor Palin has signed HB 273 into law. She did so with
little fanfare and there are some who will give her some
heat for that. This legislation is solid but certainly not
spectacular. This bill provides districts with numbers in
statute and allows districts to plan.
In the Capital Budget there is a movement to include about
$20.7 million dollars for K-12 education through Energy
Relief Grants (ERG’s). This came out of Senate Finance this
morning and the thought was the full senate would pass the
bill (SB 221) tonight. Minutes ago the Senate decided to
hold the bill over until tomorrow.
The ERG’s provide slightly less money statewide than
Governor Palin’s plan to put $100 more into the Base Student
Allocation (BSA). The more difficult part is ERG’s (Like
LOG’s and SIG’s for those who have followed K-12 funding)
are indeed one-time money and do not provide districts the
stability of putting money into the BSA.
If this money is passed in the capital budget it will push
the new money increase for K-12 education to about $69
million for FY 09. This is about a 7% increase over last
year.
SB 183— Moves on to Senate Finance:
Yesterday, SB 183 (Sponsored by Senators Elton, McGuire,
Ellis and Wielechowski). Was read across the Senate floor
after its third committee hearing. SB183 has now moved out
of the Labor and Commerce, State Affairs and Judiciary
committees. It moved out of Senate Judiciary last Friday
with three “Do Pass” votes and two “amend” votes. The Senate
Judiciary committee heard testimony from several Alaskans
including former NEA-Alaska Retired President Jerry
Patterson of Juneau. This legislation now resides in the
Senate Finance committee, where its fate rests with Senate
Finance Co-Chair and bill scheduler, Sen. Bert Stedman
(Sitka/ Ketchikan, Southeast).
The success of the Alaska Public Pension Coalition has been
a key ingredient in bringing SB 183 this far. More Alaskans
and more lawmakers are realizing that a system that does not
provide a dignified retirement will cost Alaska many
qualified teachers, public safety officers, firefighters and
other critical public employees.
Contact your Senator (and send an extra message to Sen. Bert
Stedman:
senator_bert_stedman@legis.state.ak.us )
Ask them to support SB 183 this year! Every month another
400-500 Alaska public employees enter into the worst
retirement system in the country. WE must do all we can to
end this travesty and return to a defined benefit pension
system that provides a dignified retirement and safety net
for Alaska’s public employees.
If you know anyone who wishes to
receive the LCS/Legislative
Update, please send us an e-mail with their home e-mail address if
possible, and we’ll add them to the growing list of K-12
education advocates.
