Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 1, 1994 TAG: 9403010214
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Thomas G. Baker Jr.
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The largest new item in the budget was the $102 million "Educational Opportunities Initiative." Although well short of a complete solution to the disparity funding problem, these dollars will at least provide the potential, for two years, for additional state money for our schools. As proposed, the money will be available for those school districts that wish to put up a percentage of the money in local funds. For instance, Giles County stands to receive approximately $219,000 over two years, while Pulaski County could receive $516,000 and Radford $201,000. These monies will have no effect on the amount of state aid that would normally be coming to the localities from yearly allocations for public education. The initiative funds, though, must be spent on kindergarten through third grade to reduce the pupil-to-teacher ratio. This should, therefore, free up other funds to be used for higher grades and for other educational needs.
The budget amendments I co-sponsored with Del. Clarence Phillips, D-St. Paul, to preserve the maintenance fund and the hold harmless enrollment loss provision, were in essence adopted into the budget and should result in approximately $350,000 in additional money being made available to Giles, Pulaski and Radford. I am hopeful that the availability of these combined funds will prevent the need for closing any schools and prevent any need for reduction in personnel.
The funding for the Educational Opportunity Initiative came from three sources. One, by the delay of the low-income housing credit to developers. Two, by the repeal of the elimination of tax on nonprescription drugs and, third, from an additional $72 million in estimated additional state revenues for the biennium. I supported these funding initiatives and the legislation designed to create and fund the program. The answer to the basic problem still lies in the overall funding formula and nothing has been done legislatively to address this.
In other budgetary matters, just over $2 million was restored to the budget to keep the Offices on Youth open. I was pleased to see this work out as I had also been a patron of amendments for this. In another success, ``The Long Way Home'' is scheduled to receive $15,000 while Radford University is to receive $550,000 for renovation and conversion of the Allen Building into academic space. Additionally, there has been a great deal of inquiry about college tuition and tuition assistance grants for the TAG program. As proposed in the House budget, tuition increases will be held to 3 percent, rather than up to 5 percent or higher, and the TAG grant program will remain intact with a benefit of $1,450. Cooperative Extension Services also saw funding restored.
I supported the amended budget and voted for it as it passed last Thursday. The final vote was 75 to 24. Our House version will have to be reconciled with the State budget. All said and done, there still remains an unappropriated balance of $6.3 million in the House version of the budget.
Our toll-free number for messages is 1-800-889-0229. As always, I can be reached at 804-786-6605 and by mail at Room 446, General Assembly Building, Capitol Square, P.O. Box 406, Richmond, Va., 23203, or through my Dublin office at 674-4081 and P.O. Box 1847, Dublin, Va., 24084. I look forward to reporting to you again next week.
Thomas G. Baker Jr., of R-Radford, represents Radford, Pulaski County and part of Giles County in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
by CNB