Gov. Northam proposes $269 million in new funding for Virginia schools
RICHMOND — Gov. Ralph Northam would boost K-12 spending by nearly $269 million, increasing teachers’ pay raises to 5 percent and plowing more money into school construction, per-pupil spending and programs for at-risk students under a budget plan partially unveiled Tuesday.
Northam (D) said the state had a “once-in-a-lifetime” chance to make those investments because of a windfall of up to $600 million from changes to federal tax law and a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows states to require online retailers to collect sales taxes.
To a lesser extent, higher-than-anticipated tax and lottery revenue would fund some of his plan, which also calls for boosting the amount in the state’s reserve fund.
“There is power in every child,” Northam, a pediatrician, said at a news conference at the state Capitol attended by first lady Pam Northam, a former science teacher. “I’ve been clear since my first day in office that delivering on the promise of a high-quality public education for each and every child in the commonwealth is one of our highest priorities and greatest responsibilities.”
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/gov-northam-proposes-269m-in-new-funding-for-virginia-schools/2018/12/11/efac826a-fd75-11e8-ad40-cdfd0e0dd65a_story.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
