LEGISLATIVE UPDATE March 3 2008 - SENATE APPROVES NEW EDUCATION FUNDING BILL

The Alaska Senate today (Monday) approved a bill enacting the

recommendations of the Legislative Education Funding Task Force. The bill

(HB 273) boosts state support for K-12 education through additional funding

for the Base Student Allocation, the District Cost Factor, Intensive Needs

students, pupil transportation and a hold-harmless factor for shrinking

enrollments.

"This is historic," said Carl Rose, executive director of AASB. "With this

vote Alaska schools will see early and forward funding for the first time

ever. The areas of the foundation formula that have been neglected over the

past decade will finally get much-needed attention. School districts across

the state will benefit from this bill."

AASB member districts urged the Legislature to enact the task force

recommendations last month. HB 273 passed the House last week on a vote of

32 to 5. The Senate vote was 16 to 4. A notice of reconsideration will bring

the measure back for a second vote of the Senate before it goes to the

Governor.

An amendment seeking to double the $100 increase to the Base Student

Allocation next year was rejected by the Senate on a vote of 15 to 5.

HB 273 is available in detail here:

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill_text.asp?hsid=HB0273B&session=25