I am on board with the Federal bailouts of Wall Street, the big banks, the auto industry and housing mortgage situation. If the economy can’t be saved from a total meltdown, we are all going down with it. So President Obama and Congress—do what you have to do on that front.
I also like the new President’s idea of rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure as an economic engine in the years ahead. And that kind of program can certainly help state and local governments. But in the short term, there is something Washington can do for state and local governments nationwide—something simple, something powerful, and something long overdue. Increase federal funding for IDEA—special education, and do it now. Keep reading →
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: bailout, economy, education funding, IDEA, School Funding, special education
The State Board of Education did what it—along with all other state agencies—was directed to do by Governor Rell in preparation for the upcoming state budget session. At its Wednesday meeting the Board adopted a budget resolution that included the required 10% reduction options from its current services level budget for 2008-09. The Board made it clear that it believed the reductions, should they occur, would simply pass the education share of the economic crisis on to municipalities. With local ability to again shoulder the additional burden very much in question, education budgets throughout the state will be in great jeopardy unless the cuts at the state level can be avoided or at least minimized. Keep reading →
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: ECS, economic challenges, education funding, budget cuts, state board of education
When the economy gets bad enough—like now—budget “what ifs” almost always include drastic reduction scenarios. For instance, state agencies are being asked to prepare spending plans 10% lower than current year levels. In an earlier life at the State Department of Education (SDE), I had a hand in preparing a couple of these crisis plans.
Interestingly, almost the entire SDE budget is comprised of pass through funding for local school districts, so any significant reductions pretty much would have to be accomplished by cutting education aid to towns. Keep reading →
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: connecticut, ECS, education funding, state department of education
October 24, 2008 · 1 Comment
Faced with dire circumstances that seem beyond our control, some of us opt for the old adage that what we don’t know can’t hurt us. We kind of lash ourselves to the railing and trust that the storm will pass eventually without washing us overboard. Others want to know whatever they can about the threat so as to meet it head on, hoping to increase their chances of coming through it unscathed. For those of you in the latter group, here are some thoughts about what may lie ahead as the global economic crisis—dire is not too strong a word—drills its way down into every Connecticut town, school and classroom. You rather not know types might just want to take a peek as well. Keep reading →
Categories: Uncategorized
Let’s simplify the Rainy Day Fund, shall we? For several years, the balance grew and grew because we paid more in taxes than was needed to pay the state’s bills. That’s okay. That’s how it’s supposed to work. Some economists would argue that states should have reserves equal to at least 15% of their annual state budgets. Connecticut’s reserve of $1.4 billion, although substantial, is less only 8% of its budget. So it’s not like the extra taxes we have been paying in are out of sync with sound fiscal policy.
But now we find ourselves in the middle—at least I hope it’s the middle, because if it’s only the beginning, there may be no strategy that will help—of the worst economic crisis of our time. The collapse of the housing industry, the failure of some of the country’s largest financial institutions, two of the worst single day losses in stock market history, a federal bailout program that would have been unimaginable just six months ago—these are just a few of the scariest things. A current year state budget deficit of $300 million promises to keep growing in the months ahead, and the budget for the next biennium, 2009-2011, may well face the specter of revenue shortfalls in excess of $1 billion. Keep reading →
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: economic challenges, governor rell, public schools, rainy day fund, shortfall
A new school year has begun across the state and nation amid changes that reflect a growing concern over how to manage mounting economic challenges. A recent story in the CT Post told of the impact of rising fuel costs on school transportation and heating budgets. Dealing with this means curtailed bus routes, earlier building closings, and fewer extra-curricular programs for many CT school districts. Keep reading →
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: back to school, connecticut, economic challenges, funding, recession
With apologies to the Bard, and the halfway point of summer at hand, I can’t help thinking ahead to the November elections and the legislative season beyond. I thoroughly enjoyed an extended vacation in the Carolinas, and hope you all are having as carefree a summer as gasoline prices and other economic realities permit.
The new school year is now almost underway. Close on the heels of opening day comes high season for the political among us—nationally, statewide, and locally. A perfect time to begin thinking seriously again about what may be ahead for public school funding in Connecticut. Keep reading →
Categories: Uncategorized
In one Connecticut town after another, voters are saying no and sending local budgets back to their leaders for more cuts. Yesterday, Bolton taxpayers said no to the 2008-09 budget for the third time in a month even though the margin of defeat was much smaller than previous attempts. Read story here.
Keep reading →
Categories: Uncategorized
Here we go again. The state legislature appears to be limping out of its 2008 session taking no action that will help cities and towns cope with the latest fiscal crisis. Once again local taxpayers will be forced to shoulder the load or face severe cutbacks in essential services. Education budgets—the biggest ticket item in most towns—are destined to end up squarely in harm’s way. Keep reading →
Categories: Uncategorized
