We’ve been keeping up with the budget process in the House, with some general information about the House proposal and the specifcs of the Education budget rolled out late last week and amended yesterday. Some notes on what we know so far:
The House proposed budget is $17.5 Billion ($4 Billion less than the $21.5 Billion dollar for 2008-09) Unadjusted for anything, the budget was $17.1 billion in FY2005, the first billion-dollar increase under Easley. Adjusted for population and inflation, it’s actually at the FY1994 level.
This is in addition to $1.7 Billion in federal stimulus money.
The House budget cuts $1.4 Billion in education and $1.7 Billion in Human Services.
So far, there are no tax increases, but be very wary of fees that may be included and any additional debt, especially that without taxpayer approval.
The K – 12 education budget increases class size by 2 students for a $323 Million savings, reduces DPI positions 11% the first year and 15% the second and a Central Office reduction of $9 Million, eliminates or reduces funding for many pass through programs that serve a very limited population (state dollars should reach broadly) and research has not proven that they work. Speaker Hackney’s Drop Out Prevention Grants remain heavily funded at $13 M but committee members indicated they’d be willing to lower it. Terry Stoops agrees drop out prevention grants are not a good investment in this op-ed and a detailed report on the grants.
The UNC budget raises tuition by $200 per student, not to exceed 8% of the total tuition and eliminates (finally!) the instate tuition program for out of state athletes. It expands by $23 Million each year need based financial aid.
One final note, if a Taxpayer Protection Act had been in place for the past ten years, the current budget would be about at the same level – $17.5 Billion. But instead of spending wildly all those years and depleting savings accounts and running up debt, we would have saved money over the years resulting in amply funded trust and reserve accounts to get through the recession and would not be saddled with a $6 Billion debt.
See our Back to Basics Budget for a guide to sensible and responsible budgeting. A copy has been sent to every legisaltor for their consideration as they continue the budget process. We could sure use a sensible and responsible budget, don’t you think?
