Texas lawmakers start hearings on public schools funding
Curt W. Olson l Texas Budget Source
AUSTIN — It’s not the first time a Joint Interim Committee to Study the Public School Finance System has had the mission to examine the system that gives money to 1,028 public school districts.
The newest panel of 11 state senators and 11 representatives met for the first time Thursday.
“Whether [...]
IL Senate Dems come out with budget of their own
By Andrew Thomason | Illinois Statehouse News
SPRINGFIELD — With 13 days left in the regular spring session, the Illinois Senate Democrats rolled out a budget that relies on facility closures, layoffs and 4-percent spending cuts for most state agencies.
Still, the budget outline spends $16.9 billion on day-to-day state services such as the Illinois State Police, elementary and [...]
CORRECTED: Lawmakers spent $470K on meals, munchies
Sometimes including free lunches for constituents on taxpayer dime
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — When state Sen. Shirley Kitchen, D-Philadelphia, hosted dinner for 250 constituents as part of the 2011 Philadelphia Community Service Award, state taxpayers picked up the $5,100 tab.
Taxpayers ponied up another $3,600 to pay for 200 constituents to attend a Mothers and [...]
Read More →Appeals court sides with Quinn, against AFSCME, on denying pay raises
By Andrew Thomason Illinois Statehouse News
SPRINGFIELD — A federal appellate court Thursday upheld Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision last year to deny state employees pay raises.
In July, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District in Springfield, when Quinn refused the 2 percent pay raise to 30,000 [...]
IL school chief : ‘We can’t shortchange our schools anymore’
By Jayette Bolinski | Illinois Statehouse News
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ school chief this week sounded the alarm on possible cuts to the amount of money the state will give local schools during the coming fiscal year.
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