Friday News Roundup: Week of April 11-15

Oregon House approves schools budget amid cries that it’s ‘too little’ or ‘too much’

Future unsure for drive to grow Arizona tuition tax credit

Ohio public universities seek ways to hike tuition beyond Kasich’s cap

Illinois Senate OKs sweeping education changes

Oregon House approves schools budget amid cries that it’s ‘too little’ or ‘too much’
This week, the Oregon House of Representatives passed a 2011-12 schools budget bill that would provide $5.7 billion in state aid to schools. The state Senate passed the bill earlier this week and Governor John Kitzhaber announced that he intends to sign the bill even though it provides $150 million more than his proposed budget. Several state Democrats disapprove of the bill because they do not believe it provides sufficient funding for schools. This will be particularly hard, they say, when federal stimulus funds run out, leaving Oregon’s school budget as much as $1 billion short of current levels. Some Republicans also voted against the bill because they believe it provides too much funding for schools and does not make significant policy changes to teacher compensation and other areas. As a result of this split, the bill actually received bi-partisan support. More here…

Future unsure for drive to grow Arizona tuition tax credit
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed a bill that would have expanded the state’s private school tuition tax credit program. The bill would have eliminated credit caps for corporations and insurers and increased maximum tax credit amounts from $500 to $750 for individuals and from $1000 to $1500 for couples. Governor Brewer vetoed the bill because she feared it would have a negative effect on tax revenues in the state. The Governor is a school-choice advocate and does not disagree with the program’s policy. Had the bill been signed into law, it would have reduced state income-tax collections by $25 million and county and local severance tax collections by $29 million. Governor Brewer did state that she would reconsider the bill in the future when tax revenues are less precarious. More here…

Ohio public universities seek ways to hike tuition beyond Kasich’s cap
Officials at Ohio public universities are looking for creative ways to make ends meet in the face of tuition caps and budget cuts. Governor John Kasich’s budget proposal includes a 3.5 percent tuition increase cap for both the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years. At the same time, the budget would cut state funding for public higher education by 13 percent. In an attempt bring in extra revenue, some universities are hoping to split up the total 7 percent increase over two years by frontloading increases. Other institutions are hoping to convince the state legislature to increase the tuition increase cap despite the Governor’s proposal. Governor Kasich has decided to leave this decision up to the legislature. More here…

Illinois Senate OKs sweeping education changes
The Illinois Senate unanimously passed a bill that would make significant education policy changes including lengthening the school day and making it easier to release bad teachers. The bill enjoyed bi-partisan support and many lawmakers believe that it will make Illinois top in education in the nation. However, it seems likely that the bill will be altered somewhat in the House of Representatives where bi-partisan support is less guaranteed. Governor Pat Quinn has already stated that he will sign the bill. More here…

Briefly noted:
Texas House budget writers vote to spend an additional $200 million for the public school trust fund on education every year.