(DES MOINES) – Senate Democrats appear to be walking away from their own demand for a 4 percent increase in state aid in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, setting schools up to potentially receive no increase in state aid over the next two years.
With their apparent lack of willingness to embrace true reform in conference committee, Senate Democrats are poised to block the governor’s reform efforts, thereby putting in jeopardy their own funding demands for Iowa’s schools.
“It appears that Senate Democrats are so opposed to fundamental, achievement-based reform they are willing to walk away from their own funding demand, and it is clearly putting us on a pathway to no new money for schools over the next two years,” said Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht.
“For two decades, we have put more money ahead of real reforms,” continued Albrecht. “For two decades, our student achievement has gone from best in the nation to middle of the pack. Governor Branstad and House Republicans are committed to breaking that cycle, and have offered a very generous spending package in order to achieve these reforms, allowing everyone to claim a great victory. Unfortunately, if Senate Democrats continue to oppose these achievement-based reforms, the only losers in this will be Iowa parents and their schoolchildren.”
To highlight Senate Democrats’ demands for new funding, which the governor and House Republicans have accommodated, the governor’s office released the following video:
httpv://youtu.be/6waHUn2Geww
Video info:
Published on Apr 17, 2013
Senate Democrats appear to be walking away from their own demand for a 4 percent increase in state aid in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, setting schools up to potentially receive no increase in state aid over the next two years. With their apparent lack of willingness to embrace true reform in conference committee, Senate Democrats are poised to block the governor’s reform efforts, thereby putting in jeopardy their own funding demands for Iowa’s schools.
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In response to Governor’s music video, Senator Rob Hogg asks for help passing local school funding:
On April 17th, Senator Rob Hogg responded to Governor Branstad’s video featuring Senator Hogg. Senator Hogg asked the Republican House to pass a 4% increase in school funding and urged the Governor to help.
Senator Hogg’s statement on the floor of the Iowa Senate can be seen here:
httpv://youtu.be/OBIQxvg5jHo
For more information on the school funding debate, visit http://www.senate.iowa.gov/
TRANSCRIPT:
“On this education issue, first of all, I am honored, honored to have been featured in Governor Branstad’s video clip this morning, asking for this Legislature to finally provide the funding that our schools need to do a great job.
“And it was not our idea to combine the funding and the policy debate.
“Since February 4th, Senate File 52 has been sitting in the House Education Committee. And Speaker Paulsen and House Republicans, if you can hear me. Today, reach into that committee, put it on the floor and vote it out so that we can have the money, and so that you’ll stop blocking the money.
“Wasn’t our idea to combine those issues. I think, as we have done over the past several years, we worked hard to reach consensus on education reform, and we’ve done that. And we’re going to do that again, but that takes time.
“The money issue—sitting since February 4th—not for 18 months from now but for this year–sitting since February 4th in the House Education Committee, Senate File 52, unacted on.
Senate Democrats have consistently supported a real 4% allowable growth. Republicans have consistently not supported that.
“Today, House Republicans can fix that. Reach into committee and do Senate File 52. And we will be on our way.
“Governor Branstad, if you’re listening from China, you can help by calling Speaker Paulsen. And instead of having your staff spend time…(By the way I love it! He can do daily videos of me, I would love that!)
“But instead he should call Speaker Paulsen and tell him to get Senate File 52 out of committee.”
