Education Supporters Call for Funds
March 24, 2010
Dozens of political leaders, superintendents, teachers and parents gathered Tuesday inside the Capitol waving signs and cheering as speakers marched one by one to the podium to plead for financial support for public education.
"Now is not the time to pit one education organization against another," Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds said. "Now is the time we band together."
The loud and lengthy rally took place just hours before the House voted against a resolution that would have sent lawmakers home at the end of this week and brought them back April 20 to pass a 2011 budget.
As it stands, House and Senate budget writers have until today to advance budget bills out of committee, and both chambers have until Friday to complete a spending plan.
Supporters of the hiatus said waiting could add another $187 million to the budget, much of that for public education. The state is awaiting word from Congress on whether it will extend a more generous Medicaid match.
House Appropriations Chairman Johnny Stringer, D-Montrose, said this is the surest way to solve the budget and avoid a special session, even if it is a busy time.
"It’s the worst time for me to come back, but I can’t look a teacher in the eye and say I had something at home to do and cut you $187 million," Stringer said.
The House failed 75-46 to garner the two-thirds vote necessary to extend the session. Opponents of the plan said the people expect lawmakers to get their work done on time, and that there’s no guarantee Congress will act on the Medicaid formula by then.
Chamber members spent more than an hour discussing whether they needed more time to get their work done.
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"The people I represent are telling me they want us to come home and come home when we’re supposed to come home," said Jessica Upshaw, R-Diamondhead.
She sponsored an amendment, which also failed, which would have pushed the deadline for completing the 2011 budget from Friday to Monday. The Senate passed a similar resolution earlier Tuesday.
The session extension proposal can be brought up again any time between today and Monday by the House, which is the only chamber that can originate such a resolution under the state Constitution. Senate Appropriations Chairman Alan Nunnelee said it would be "extremely difficult" to reach a budget consensus by today.
Lawmakers continue to fight over priorities and how much of the state’s reserves to spend down.
Addressing the education rally, Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, said it doesn’t make sense for schools to lay off teachers and staff when the state has millions available that could be added to this and future budgets in reserve funds and federal dollars.
"Why in the world are we acting like we’re flat broke when we have $750 million squirreled away, at least some of which can be used right now?" Bryan asked.
Nunnelee said he didn’t doubt the sincerity of those from outside the Capitol who attended the hearing, but said "statements like that mislead strong supporters of schools."
"I don’t think they realize how bad our budget is today, and more importantly, I don’t think they realize how bad it’s going to be next year," Nunnelee said.
He also questioned the numbers Bryan scribbled on a white boa rd as attendees cheered, particularly the line that said $100 million in "maybe someday" money was available to keep teachers in the classroom.
"How do I build a budget on $100 million in ‘maybe someday’?" Nunnelee asked.
Bryan said he was referring to money the state has saved to pay back the federal government for its help with Hurricane Katrina.
Lawmakers hope that cash will be forgiven and the debt can be paid back with in-kind services. Bryan also was referring to the state’s rainy day and tobacco settlement funds, as well as other federal money he says is available to help plug budget holes.