Jackson Free Press

[Just in from a "plumber" (our new word for unnamed source)]: "Budget negotiations, especially funding for education have completely broken down. The House has held firm for (close to) full funding of the MAEP. The Senate began showing movement towards a tobacco tax last night until Barbour started making calls (read "threats"). Legislators will be on MS Pub Broadcasting's "Quorum" tonight at 7:00pm. Watch and call in with questions! Click for how to help get education fully funded ...

Please call the House members and encourage them to hold their position in
support of our children:
Rep. Cecil Brown 601-359-3330
Rep. Johnny Stringer 601-359-3340
Rep. Wanda Jennings 601-359-9465

Click for more advice on how to help ...

Please call the Senate members and ask them to move to full funding of the
MAEP.
Sen. Mike Chaney 601-359-2936
Sen. Jack Gordon 601-359-3249
Sen. Terry Burton 601-359-3234

Previous Comments

ID

137679

Comment

If you would have told me at one time that Mississippi's legislature could go so slow as to move backwards, I wouldn't have believed it. Now, with Barbour controlling the senate, we're moving backwards fast.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2005-03-30T16:17:11-06:00

ID

137680

Comment

You're right, Iron. The House needs to stand up to Barbour. It's a moment in time, and it's important. They cannot let him give away this state wholesale to his favorite corporations. Stand firm.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-03-30T16:23:45-06:00

ID

137681

Comment

More plumbing poop: Sources inside the House tell us that the House is seeking to avoid a special session and try to finalize budgets tomorrow. In addition to the education conferees from the senate (Chaney, Gordon, Burton), we are being asked to specifically call: Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck (601) 359-3200 Sen. Appropriations Chair Jack Gordon (601) 359-3249 Senator Tom King (R-H'burg) (601) 359-3232 to push for revenue options and increases. Apparently the latter (King) is riding the fence and may vote for revenue enhancements with a little push.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-03-30T16:39:45-06:00

ID

137682

Comment

I am actually shocked that the education funding has been such an issue. If there is any doubt to the need of level of funding why doesnt the Senate order up an audit. I am not an expert but I dont think tobacco tax is the answer. The reduction of wasted resources through auditing and smarter management sounds better everyday.

Author

wade G.

Date

2005-03-30T22:44:16-06:00

ID

137683

Comment

I suspect a mixture of the two are needed. And it would certainly make sense to audit -- before violating state law and cutting Adequate Funding. Bear in mind, though, that the anti-public-education folks could worry that an audit would show that the schools are doing the best with what they have and need more money. It goes two ways. And that wouldn't back up the no-taxes mantra.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-03-30T22:52:10-06:00

ID

137684

Comment

Public schools are regularly audited, as are all publicly funded organizations; it's the law. As, for "any doubt to the need of level of funding," the whole purpose of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program was to create a funding formula that would determine and fund public education at Level 3 on a five point scale (Level 1- low performing/priority, Level 2- under performing, Level 3- successful, Level 4- exemplary, Level 5- superior performing); hence the phrase "Adequate Education." While I would not say that there is no fat anywhere in any school district, I have yet to hear exactly where the fat is that needs to be cut. Districts were under-funded by $70 million last year and most of the ìfatî and reserves have already been removed from the budgets. Additionally, a large percentage of administrative salaries are not paid out of state funds (most are from local funds and some federal funds) and none of the administrative pay levels are set by the state. So the MAEP should not be cut with the argument that there is "administrative waste."

Author

GDIModerate

Date

2005-03-31T08:51:43-06:00

ID

137685

Comment

I'm stilll wondering where, after years of failing to fund Pubic Education, the fat is. Perhaps if the Legislature would quit assuming Mississippi's tax revinue would increase at double the national rate, we'd get somewhere. That was the old legislature; this new style, with the Senate Republicans bowing to Barbour is plain obstructionist.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2005-03-31T10:04:56-06:00

ID

137686

Comment

Anyone know if there has ever been a salary comparison of Misssissippi School Administrators with other states and/or with in the state?

Author

wade G.

Date

2005-03-31T12:34:40-06:00

ID

137687

Comment

MS spends less on administration per pupil than all but 3 states. Check out the American School Board Journal special report ìEducation Vital Signs 2005î. Mississippi spends $296 per pupil in administrative costs. Only Tennessee ($295), Arizona ($290), and Utah ($281) have lower administrative expenditures.

Author

GDIModerate

Date

2005-03-31T14:23:17-06:00

ID

137688

Comment

More from the plumber/what senators to call re education funding: "Press conference today at the capitol led by Dr. Henry Johnson and Jim Barksdale (called for cigarette tax and fee bill...still promising $50 million) was GREAT! Senator Gray Tollison and Cecil Brown, House Education Chairman, were there rallying the public to support the House plan to fund education. The word from education folks is that we should keep the pressure on Governor Barbour, Lt. Governor Tuck but MORE importantly the following senators who need to SUPPORT RAISING NEW REVENUE through a House proposed cigarette tax and fee bill: Tommy Gollot, Harrison County Capitol (601) 359-2220 Home (228) 374-1431 Billy Thames, Counties: Jasper, Jones, Scott, Smith counties, Capitol (601) 733-2681 HOME (601) 359-3226 Billy Harvey Counties: Covington, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion Capitol (601) 359-3174 Home (601) 792-8424 Sampson Jackson, Counties: Kemper, Lauderdale, Noxubee, Winston Capitol (601) 359-3263 Home (601) 677-2305 Lynn Posey Counties: Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, Jefferson Capitol (601) 359-3276 Home (601) 786-6339 If you know a teacher or have a relative in these counties, please contact them and URGE them to call these senators! We MUST RAISE NEW REVENUE in order TO FULLY FUND EDUCATION and the TEACHER PAY RAISE!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-03-31T14:59:04-06:00