JACKSON, Miss.–IF you’ve ever wondered just how much Mississippi spends on education each year, this year may be a record, with an extra $106 million passed Tuesday by the Mississippi Senate. The funding bill now goes to the governor for his signature.
Gov. Bryant said Tuesday that, as far as state money being spent on education, it may be the most ever.
“And I think you’re seeing Republican leadership do what they said they’re going to do, have transformational change in the public education system,” he said.
GOV. BRYANT INTERVIEW
But critics believe the funding passed Tuesday, which was relatively early in the state budgeting process, is still not enough. The Better Schools, Better Jobs organization says the state is still not fully funding the Miss. Adequate Education Program and state Democrats say it could be short by as much as $200 million.
State Sen. Hob Bryan (D-Amory) introduced an amendment during Tuesday’s debate that would have added another $25 million this year, and more in the coming years.
“The funding gap in MAEP will be made up over a three-year period, which means by 2018 it would be fully-funded,” said Bryan.
His amendment did not make it.
STORY ON BRYAN AMENDMENT
Since the bill already passed the Mississippi House, it goes to the governor’s desk next to become law.
