Home > Hot Off the Press!

Hot Off the Press!

• Kaine's plan could cut millions in education funding in '09, Julian Walker, The Virginia-Pilot

"Kaine recommended $400 million in cuts to public schools, saying it is impossible to shield them from the damage of the national recession....Many legislators and educators voiced concern that the reductions would ultimately hurt classrooms. Even though local school systems would receive less money for support personnel, the governor cannot order school boards to make the exact cuts he recommends."

• Cuts span education system, Olympia Meola, The Richmond Times Dispatch

"'We're already 37th in the nation in per-pupil spending, so by making this particular cut more permanent we believe we've created a deeper hole we have to climb out of when things do start to turn around.'" (quoting Virginia Education Association President Kitty Boitnott).

• Education Board shifts on funding, Olympia Meola, The Richmond Times Dispatch

"Reading the writing on the wall, Virginia's Board of Education said yesterday that it would not ask the cash-strapped General Assembly for more money for the Standards of Quality, a guide for what constitutes a basic education."

• Va. shortfall tops $3.2 billion, Jim Nolan, The Richmond Times Dispatch

"Lawmakers from both parties yesterday signaled that virtually nothing would be left off the chopping block when they reconvene Jan. 14 in Richmond. That includes spending in health-care entitlements such as Medicaid as well as public education."It's all up for grabs," said Sen. William C. Wampler Jr., R-Bristol, the ranking Republican on the Democrat-controlled Finance Committee. "I think the first thing you do is examine new spending."

• Va. budget writers learn grim details of economy, Bob Lewis, Forbes.com

"An economy expected to recede for another year before improving may force Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to further reduce the state's official revenue estimate next month for the second time since October."

• To Restore Economic Health, Congress Must Put Children First, Colin Powell, Roll Call

"We don’t hear much about America’s children in our national economic debate. But they are intricately connected to the dire economic consequences we face as a nation — and their well-being must be a critical part of the solution."

• Education Needs to be on the To-Do List, Andy Rotherham*, NPR.org

"Dear President-elect Obama:  ....Too many Americans, especially those who enjoy good educational options now, are disengaged from these problems. You must get them in the fight."

"Do invest in quality pre-kindergarten education. This one costs a lot, but is worth it. Ensuring that every 4-year-old, especially poor children, can attend a good preschool program is essential to closing the achievement gap."

*Andy Rotherham is a member of the Virginia Board of Education

• Medicaid, education may be on the chopping block, Rex Bowman, The Richmond Times Dispatch

"Spared up to now by Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine when he announced a series of belt-tightening measures last month, the two programs are in the sights of the Republican-dominated Appropriations Committee, whose members say permanent changes to the programs' funding might have to be enacted.  'They have to be a part of the mix,' said Del. M. Kirkland Cox, R-Colonial Heights."

"Committee member Del. Clarence E. Phillips, D-Dickenson, said he understands that K-12 education funding 'has a big target on its back,' but he cautioned that the state should not move too hastily to cut school funds. 'If we're cutting, ' he said, 'how do we cut without diminishing the quality of education these children get?'"

• Don't Balance Budget on Kids' Backs, Melissa Coretz Goemann, The Richmond Times Dispatch

"Every dollar wisely earmarked for children is an investment that will pay off many times over in greater school readiness, higher academic achievement and graduation rates, less crime and welfare dependence, and higher employment rates and lifetime earnings. This "human capital" investment is the driver of our future competent workforce and economic well-being."

• A New Lesson Plan: How Increasing Graduation Rates Boosts Virginia's Economy,  Michael Cassidy and Sara Okos, The Commonwealth Institute, November 2008.

"...Because high school graduates earn higher incomes than dropouts, have better health, and are less likely to commit crime, [Virginia] stands to gain roughly $111,586 more for every additional high school graduate that it produces."

• The High School Dropout's Economic Ripple Effect, The Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2008

"As the financial meltdown and economic slump hold the national spotlight, another potential crisis is on the horizon:  a persistently high dropout rate that educators and mayors across the country say increases the threat to the country's strength and prosperity."

• Virginia On-Time Graduation Rates, Virginia Department of Education, October 2008.

Read about graduation rates in your community, and make sure your friends and family, and your elected officials, both state and local, know how the schools in their districts are doing.  Write to your local paper about graduation rates in your community – whether they’re good, bad, or in-between – and explain why the issue matters to you.  Contact your elected officials to explain why public schools are so important to the economic health of YOUR community. 

• A Balanced Approach to Balancing the Budget, The Commonwealth Institute, October 2008

"Closing a budget gap of this magnitude with a cuts-only approach would undermine the very public structures that will help preserve Virginia’s economy and quality of life. Taking a more balanced approach that includes appropriate use of the Revenue Stabilization Fund, targeted tax reforms, and targeted cuts means the state can fulfill its role as a responsible manager of our public structures."

• Grant will help area children, Tidewater News, October 16, 2008

“You’re talking about almost $90 million a year that we have spent on holding children back.... We don’t need to do that. We get [early education] right up front, and they get to school ready, we will cut that down dramatically and save dollars, dollars, dollars.”

• Layoffs, Trims in Education, Services Coming, John Wagner and Tim Craig, The Washington Post, October 9, 2008

"'There is nothing yet that is going to impact the classrooms in this school year,'" but in subsequent rounds, "cuts to public education might have to be made."

• Hard Times Hit Schools, States' Budget Shortfalls Darken Start of New Year, Michele McNeil, Education Week, August 25, 2008. 

"...Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, warned that education funding may be cut if the economy doesn't turn around rapidly and help close an anticipated $1 billion deficit."  Read more.

• Buck Passing, Localities don't have the budget scope to fill the state's holes, Daily Press, August 24, 2008.

"Off-loading the economic hit to local government is easy, but wrong.  Predictable, but wrong."  Read more.

• New Census Data Shows Growing Poverty in Virginia, The Commonwealth Institute, August 26, 2008.

"...the poverty rate for children in the Commonwealth increased from 11.7 percent in 2006 to 13 percent in 2007." Read more.