Scott’s $1 Billion Increase for Schools Contains “Little in the Form of Additional Classroom Dollars” | Scathing Purple Musings

Scott’s $1 Billion Increase for Schools Contains “Little in the Form of Additional Classroom Dollars” | Scathing Purple Musings:

Scott’s $1 Billion Increase for Schools Contains “Little in the Form of Additional Classroom Dollars”

by Bob Sikes

Writes Julie G. Delegal in FolioWeekly:

Well, the numbers are (mostly) in and the news (mostly) isn’t good. The promised $1 billion is actually a lot less than it appears (certainly less than the $1.3 billion cut from schools just last legislative session) and contains little in the form of additional classroom dollars. With thanks to state Rep. Mike Weinstein’s legislative aide, Sandy Matthews, here are a few figures worth noting:

1. Some $444 million of Scott’s billion –- almost half –- does nothing to increase funding for education. It simply plugs holes for money that would otherwise disappear from the state’s education budget. $220 of Scott’s billion will restore money from ad valorem property tax