Yesterday, the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education passed SB 5517 on a partisan vote. The bill appropriates $8.2 billion for the K-12 budget, which is almost a nine percent increase in funding.
Currently, I'm serving my seventh term as the State Representative from Albany. This is my 13th year working in the Capitol, and each time the legislature works to balance the budget; the number one concern has always been funding education.
Our class sizes are too big and need to be reduced. Our schools need new curriculum with opportunities to excel in vocational training. Many schools need updates and additional staff. Unfortunately, SB 5517 will not help accomplish this. The reason being, this bill does not address cost containment measures. For example, key cost drivers like PERS and health care are most likely to rise significantly. The additional funding for the K-12 budget will be insignificant and without meaningful reforms. Funding education is a priority, so lets ensure the cost drivers are addressed
so that no resources are taken away from the classroom.
Rep. Diego Hernandez (D-Portland) is a voting member on the committee. Unfortunately, Rep. Hernandez was temporarily removed from the committee and replaced by Rep. Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene). You see, Rep. Hernandez does NOT support SB 5517, because he too wants to see more for our schools.
The bill now moves to the full committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.
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