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Vol. 15, Issue 2
January/February 2015
The 2015 Nevada Legislative Session Opportunities & Challenges Lay Ahead evada’s Governor Brian Sandoval stands alone important to note that one party controls our state’s in this country with his leadership. There is no government. Even though the Governor has been bold other Republican in asking businesses governor in the U.S. that to pay more for has publicly embraced taxes education, there is to fund education. Not one. still significant Yet, on January 15, 2015, in opposition in both his State of the State legislative houses address, Gov. Sandoval did against increasing • $100 million to expand Zoom Schools just that. He acknowledged taxes. Equally • $50 million to “Victory Schools” for that we have to change the important, there are impoverished students way Nevada’s revenue and elements that want to • $10 million for GATE education systems rollback the rights of • $20 million to increase Charter Schools operate—that they are teachers in collective • $2 million expanding federal breakfast outdated—and outlined a bargaining and expand program comprehensive plan on how turning schools over • $36 million for social workers in schools this would be to the private, for accomplished. He is right in profit sector charter • Expansion of full-day Kindergarten to all schools in Nevada his assessment. We applaud schools. These are • Expansion of pre-K him for his bold leadership challenges we will • Matching of state dollars with federal grant the state has to improve our schools and have to deal with, but been awarded for pre-school. our state. we also have great • $30 million to support “Read by Three” The Governor’s budget opportunities before • $50 million for “Nevada Ready 21” for digital devices for has put a significant us—and it is our middle school students amount of funding into burden to find the • $20 million for High School programs (i.e., CTE, STEM, etc.) to education. Asking successful path to improve graduation rate businesses to pay more is make things happen. • Modernize The Nevada Plan funding formula in the second good policy. Businesses Our success starts year of the biennium budget starting with more funds for who step up and support with everyone’s Special Education paying more are responsible participation. We need • Rollover of school bonds with state oversight to allow funding corporate community to be issue-based and into school districts to build new schools and repair others partners. Extending the work with the • Opportunity Scholarships —tax credits for businesssunset taxes, increasing Governor, Business, sponsored scholarships for at-risk students business license fees, and and both parties and • More school choice (i.e. Charters) increasing taxes on the sale their respective • Appointment of School Boards of cigarettes all combine to leadership. We need • Local governments breaking up schools districts like Clark increase funding for allies, specifically education by $800 million parents, to make this and/or consolidate rural ones in the new biennium happen. In short, we • Achievement Schools District —turn over underperforming budget. This budget is good need a comprehensive schools (50 in CCSD) to the private sector (i.e. Charters) news for our schools. campaign that has • Collective bargaining reform —with no details. Assemblywoman Marilyn grassroots • Pay for performance for teacher compensation Kirkpatrick has also mobilization of Note: Approximately 75% of state funds will go to CCSD challenged lawmakers to teachers, parents, make tougher decisions in a students, and bipartisan way to find more revenue by enacting tax community and business allies, and we need a smart reforms. This challenge is leadership. and strategic media campaign. CCEA’s Executive Let’s review the Governor’s proposals. It is (continues on page 2)
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• KEY POINTS •
OF THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET