The time is drawing closer for Alabama to decide how to use $2.7 billion in tax revenue for education that the state was not expecting.
Feb. 24, 2023, 8:47 a.m.Alabama Superintendent Eric Mackey talks to lawmakers about education funding needs during a hearing at the Alabama State House. The time is drawing closer for Alabama to decide how to use $2.7 billion in tax revenue for education that the state was not expecting, and proposals including using a portion of the money for school construction, as well as establishing a new savings account for the education budget.
The Legislature’s education budget committees held a hearing Thursday and heard from state Superintendent Eric Mackey, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Early Childhood Education, and the Commission on the Evaluation of Services.Mackey gave a slide show presentation on the state Board of Education’s budget request for next fiscal year.
Mackey’s request from the $2.7 billion surplus included $40 million for new school buses. It included $24 million for summer math camps required under the Numeracy Act, an initiative approved by the Legislature last year to put more resources and people into teaching math in the earliest grades. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, chair of the Senate education budget committee, said last month he expected proposals“We believe, after we take care of state government, at least on the education side, we have enough to send back to the people of Alabama, who sent it to us in the first place,” Orr said during the Legislature’s organizational session in January. “In addition to that, with the economy and with inflation, they’re struggling. So, this would be a small matter of relief to them.
Orr said a new savings account would still have restrictions but would not be limited to offsetting proration. He said the state needs an account to use in years when revenue growth is slow or flat so that it can maintain funding for long-range initiatives like the Literacy Act and the Numeracy Act, which require a sustained financial commitment.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Univ. of Alabama: Brandon Miller Not a Suspect in Shooting, Remains on Basketball Team - Alabama NewsThe University of Alabama said that leading scorer Brandon Miller remains an “active member” of the No. 2-ranked Crimson Tide and is not considered a suspect in a fatal shooting that took place near campus last month. alabamabasketball alabamanewsnetwork
Read more »
Gov. Kay Ivey: Alabama Will Resume Executions - Alabama NewsAn internal review of Alabama's execution procedures is complete and the state will resume lethal injections, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday. alnews alabamanewsnetwork
Read more »
Alabama faces more record highs as much of US hit by cold and snowIt's a hot one, at least for February. Some parts of Alabama could experience highs in the mid-80s today. Average high temperatures for late February in Alabama range from the upper 50s and lower 60s in north Alabama to the upper 60s in south Alabama. ➡️
Read more »
Alabama faces questions after more details on fatal shootingAlabama is the No. 2 men's team in the country and a favorite to win the national championship.
Read more »
Alabama faces questions after more details on fatal shootingNo. 2 Alabama is one of the top teams in the country and a favorite to win the national championship.
Read more »
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey asks state to begin executions again; prison system ends reviewGov. Kay Ivey's moratorium on executions in Alabama, which began in late November, has been lifted. In a letter to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Ivey said “it is time to resume our duty of carrying out lawful death sentences.” More:
Read more »