Jim
Shuler’s Legislative Report |
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1/17/03
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| We have finished our second week of legislative activity and the pace has definitely picked up. Since we are required by law to complete our work in six weeks, a great deal of action is packed into a day. Sub-committees begin work at 7:00 a.m. and some committees, especially those that deal with money issues, continue their work into the evening. The afternoon is reserved for House of Delegate sessions. Squeezed between those events is the only time available for reading and studying legislation, preparing for committee presentations, meeting with lobbyists and constituents, and occasionally—thinking. | |||
I’m
going to focus on education in my column this week, in part because it
remains one of my highest legislative priorities, but also because this
past week brought an historic assembly of school administrators to the
capitol. School superintendents representing Virginia’s 115 school
districts gathered in Richmond to appeal for no further budget cuts to
public education programs, and to emphasize what the current budget crisis
has meant to schools, communities and children. |
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Dallas
Helems, Craig County Superintendent, Delegate Shuler |
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| Although I have earlier and often met with superintendents and educators throughout the 12th district, I was pleased to visit with Bob Grimesey, Superintendent for Alleghany County, Eddie Graham, Covington School Superintendent, David Smith, school board member from Bath County, Dallas Helems, Superintendent from Craig and Fred Morton, Superintendent for Montgomery County Schools. I appreciated the opportunity to further discuss our mutual goals. | |||
| The state budget picture has increasingly become more and more bleak since alarms were first set off in the year 2000. Along with significant revenue losses from all aspects of state receipts—taxes, fees, and refunds--required expenditures have risen by over $600 million. Car tax reimbursements have increased by an unanticipated $100 million this year alone. Still, our public schools are educating 36,000 additional students and there are 12,000 more students attending our state-supported colleges and universities. While state and local revenues are down, their costs have been rising. | |||
| A 2001 state audit of our schools not surprisingly revealed that Virginia has failed to meet funds required in the state formula to cover the basic costs of K-12 education. Our schools are under-funded by almost $600 million every year. The issues most important to the superintendents I spoke with revolve around bridging that severe funding gap. At a time when localities have lost significant dollars due to the car tax refund, schools systems are having to pick up where the state has failed to contribute its fair (and mandated) share, or they are forced to discontinue programs, increase class sizes and/or eliminate staff. Superintendents addressed acute needs for school construction and maintenance and expressed specific concern for programs that enhance educational opportunities for at-risk youngsters—like the Virginia Preschool Initiative and the Remediation Recovery program. | |||
| For over a decade, state support for education has proportionally diminished. Ironically, quality education is one of primary responsibilities of Virginia government yet even during years of unprecedented economic prosperity, the state did not step up to the funding plate for our schools. Now in a time of severe shortages, the neglect is taking its toll and the tab is coming due. | |||
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Jim
with Dr. Charles Steger, President of Virginia Tech |
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Administration, staff and students from Dabney Lancaster Community College |
| State colleges and universities have fared no better. Required budget reductions mean there will be close to 3000 fewer classes statewide and 1500 fewer faculty, yet enrollment projections indicate there will annually be 4,000 more students enrolled each year in state colleges and universities. Virginia Tech has lost a total of $81.5 million, which translates to nearly a 30% university reduction. Community colleges are facing even greater enrollment figures balanced against double-digit percentages in reduced resources. |
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| There are a number of legislative measures being considered that will address some of these concerns. The governor has been true to his word to protect education—K-12, community colleges and 4 year institutions--from further funding cuts and I will continue to support that promise. Additionally there are budget requests that will reinstate money for at-risk programs, university extension services and construction. Bills have been introduced to restructure the Standards of Quality formula to ensure that it’s harder for the state to create ways to avoid our legal funding obligations. There is a measure that would require teacher salaries to be above the national average and at the same time legislation that would make it easier to fire ineffective teachers. Even during this time of critical funding deficits, I will remain vigilant to secure support for our local schools and colleges. We do the Commonwealth and ourselves no service if we abandon our children and imperil our future. | |||
| As usual, I hope if you have questions or concerns about legislation mentioned in this column, or any legislative matter, you will not hesitate to contact me at any of the following addresses. And again I invite you to visit me in Richmond to discuss local or legislative issues of importance to you. | |||
Right
to left:
| Jim Shuler’s Legislative telephone | 804-698-1012 |
| Jim Shuler’s Legislative fax | 804-786-6310 |
| Constituent Hotline | 800-889-0229 |
| Richmond e-mail address | Del_Shuler@house.state.va.us |
| Richmond Mailing address | P.O.
Box 406, 23218 |
| Richmond Office | #822,
General Assembly Building |
| 9th
& Broad Streets, Richmond |
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