Education Message from the Governor

[David Nelson <dnelson@moscow.com>]

Hi All,

I took Tom Trails advice yesterday about contacting the Governor and
others regarding the current state budget.  Below is a reply I
received from the Governors office.  I would especially note the
Governors contention that the school districts will not miss  the
2.5 % holdback.

I think that it is very important that we all put pressure on the
legislature and the governor.  Please contact,  them especially
these important committee chairs at Rep. Dolores Crow
<infocntr@lso.state.id.us>,
Rep. Maxine Bell <infocntr@lso.state.id.us>
Sen. Dean Cameron<infocntr@lso.state.id.us>

David


> X-From_: BRuud@gov.state.id.us  Tue Feb
> 12 10:35:18 2002
> From: Bill Ruud <BRuud@gov.state.id.us>
> To: "'dnelson@moscow.com'" <dnelson@moscow.com>
> Subject: Education
> Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 11:36:44 -0700
> X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19)
> X-postini-filters:     (S:0.4379423 )
>
> Dear David:
>
> Thank you for your recent letter.  The Governor appreciates your
> concerns
> and values your comments.
>
> The issues confronting our state are often complex and require much
> consideration.  The Governor will note your remarks as he reviews
> the
> matter.  Without public input on the issues that confront us, it
> is
> difficult to effectively address them.  We encourage your
> continued
> participation in local, state and federal government
> processes.     
>
> Education received $933 million from the state for FY 2002. With the
> 2.5%
> holdback, we're now saying that instead of $933 million, public schools
> will
> be receiving $910 million.  There should not be any noticeable
> impacts to
> the way our children are educated with this holdback.  Also please
> remember
> that there was strong sentiment in the legislature to return much of
> the
> surplus available last year to the citizens.  In addition, the
> revenues for
> FY2002 have gone way down with the softening of the economy.  We
> are
> carefully examining options available to assist that small number 
> of
> districts that may have difficulty.
>
> The deficit is an issue that all of state government needs to address,
> and
> we need to do it together.  Because of the high priority the
> Governor has
> placed on education, he has directed all other agencies to absorb more of
> a
> percentage holdback than education.  (3% versus 2.5% for education
> in FY
> 2002 and an average of 10% in FY 2003) that is .5% more for education in
> FY
> 2002 and 10% more in FY 2003.
>
> Education has received significant dollar enhancements in each of the
> three
> budgets that the Governor has presented.  In addition to that, this
> year the
> schools benefited from a huge PERSI gain share ($19.5 million) which
> the
> state allowed the districts to have.  That is a $19.5 million
> increase that
> was not anticipated and the budget holdback requirement is  $23
> million.
> We are hopeful of a turnaround in the economy that will support
> increased
> revenues to all state agencies.   The Governor has said that we
> will be one
> of the first states to come out of this national recession.
>
> Because the Governor continues to support education at all levels and
> know
> the importance of Idaho students getting the best education available,
> he
> has recommended that the $933 million recommended for FY 2002 also be
> the
> recommendation for FY 2003.  He is, therefore, recommending Idaho
> Public
> Schools be funded at 100% of the FY 2002 level.  This is evidenced
> by the
> recent outstanding performance of Idaho students on the 2000 Science
> NAEP
> tests.
>
> Thanks again for your note, I hope this information is helpful.
>
>
> Bill Ruud
> Senior Policy
> Office of the Governor
>
>
> Mr. David Nelson 
> 804 East E Street  
> Moscow ID 83843 208 882-3760 208 883-7699 
>
> EMail:  dnelson@moscow.com 
>
> Education 
>
>
> Dear Mr. Kempthorne
>
> I am writing to support education funding for the state if Idaho. 
> The
> current funding proposals at both the university and basic level (k-12)
> are
> terribly short sighted and harmful to the state and especially to
> the
> students.  
>
> I believe the last years tax cut MUST be repealed or at least delayed
> in
> order to at least maintain education funding at last years levels. 
> The
> amounts beeing considered in CUts for the universityies will cut
> serious
> muscle from the schools and harm economic developent in the state. 
>
> Please do not go down the current path of devestating cuts for education
> to
> maintain last years inappropriate tax cut.
>
> David Nelson  
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------




David Nelson
Nelson & Roseme, Inc.
Phone 208 883-7699
FAX   208 882-8143
Email dnelson@dnai.com