Current:Home > MyKentucky spending plan calling for more state funding of student transportation advances-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Kentucky spending plan calling for more state funding of student transportation advances
View Date:2024-12-23 23:52:44
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky House Republicans proposed having the state pick up more of the costs for student transportation in K-12 schools under an updated budget plan that cleared a committee on Wednesday.
The action by the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee sets up a full House vote on the main budget bill that covers the state’s executive branch. That vote could come as soon as Thursday.
Republican House leaders said the measure meets current needs while putting the Bluegrass State on strong footing for the future. They emphasized the voluminous bill’s investments in education, infrastructure, public safety and human services.
“It continues to reflect our mission of providing the necessary functions of state government and ensuring every dollar invested benefits all Kentuckians,” committee Chair Jason Petrie said. “We’re not looking to score political points or pander to political interests.”
One key change was the level of state support for the costs to transport K-12 students to and from school.
In the version headed to the House floor, the state would cover 100% of those costs in the second year of the biennium. The state would cover 80% of those expenses in the first year of the two-year budget cycle, which begins July 1. In the budget plan he submitted to lawmakers, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear called for the state to fully fund student transportation costs in both years.
The House committee didn’t budge on its plans for achieving teacher pay raises.
The House GOP plan doesn’t include the guaranteed pay raises for educators and other public school employees that Beshear requested. Instead, the House GOP plan encourages school districts to use additional state funding to award salary increases. Local administrators would decide the size of raises.
Beshear called for a guaranteed 11% raise for teachers and all other public school employees — including bus drivers, janitors and cafeteria staff. The governor has made higher teacher pay a priority, saying it’s essential to make Kentucky more competitive with other states. Kentucky currently lags near the bottom nationally in average teacher starting pay and average teacher pay, he says.
Crafting a budget is the top priority for lawmakers this year, and the House action is another step toward achieving it. Once the budget measure clears the House, it will be sent to the Senate, which will put its imprint on state spending for the next two fiscal years. The final version will be ironed out by a conference committee made up of House and Senate leaders. Both chambers have Republican supermajorities.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Pistons' Ausar Thompson cleared to play after missing 8 months with blood clot
- Law requires former research chimps to be retired at a federal sanctuary, court says
- EPA Agrees Its Emissions Estimates From Flaring May Be Flawed
- China will end its COVID-19 quarantine requirement for incoming passengers
- Zendaya Shares When She Feels Extra Safe With Boyfriend Tom Holland
- Pennsylvania Ruling on Eminent Domain Puts Contentious Pipeline Project on Alert
- Global Warming Is Destabilizing Mountain Slopes, Creating Landslide Risks
- FDA changes Plan B label to clarify 'morning-after' pill doesn't cause abortion
- AP Top 25: Oregon remains No. 1 as Big Ten grabs 4 of top 5 spots; Georgia, Miami out of top 10
- This is what displaced Somalians want you to know about their humanitarian crisis
Ranking
- Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian Team Up for SKIMS Collab With Dolce & Gabbana After Feud
- This Top-Rated $9 Lipstick Looks Like a Lip Gloss and Lasts Through Eating, Drinking, and Kissing
- New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu says he doesn't see Trump indictment as political
- Why does the U.S. government lock medicine away in secret warehouses?
- 1 monkey captured, 42 monkeys still on the loose after escaping research facility in SC
- COVID spreading faster than ever in China. 800 million could be infected this winter
- Eminem’s Daughter Hailie Jade Shares Details on Her and Fiancé Evan McClintock’s Engagement Party
- Confusion and falsehoods spread as China reverses its 'zero-COVID' policy
Recommendation
-
Gavin Rossdale Makes Rare Public Appearance With Girlfriend Xhoana Xheneti
-
Politics & Climate Change: Will Hurricane Florence Sway This North Carolina Race?
-
Revolve's 65% Off Sale Has $212 Dresses for $34, $15 Tops & More Trendy Summer Looks
-
Shop the Best Lululemon Deals: $78 Tank Tops for $29, $39 Biker Shorts & More
-
2 striking teacher unions in Massachusetts face growing fines for refusing to return to classroom
-
Why Maria Menounos Credits Her Late Mom With Helping to Save Her Life
-
Trump arrives in Miami for Tuesday's arraignment on federal charges
-
Rebuilding collapsed portion of I-95 in Philadelphia will take months, Pennsylvania governor says