The Edwards administration’s budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st calls for a 128-million dollar increase in general fund spending. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says most of the additional dollars should go towards education.
“Everything from MFP to higher ed and early childhood to make sure we make a real meaningful commitment to education,” said Dardenne.
The governor recommends a 25-million dollar increase for early childhood education, but advocates seek an additional 86-million dollars. Dardenne says the governor’s proposal calls for 39-million dollars more for public schools and individual school districts can decide on whether to give out teacher pay raises.
“This budget does not include a line item as it did last year for the $1,000 pay raise for teachers,” said Dardenne.
The overall increase in funding will also cover pay raises for judges and prosecutors and sheriffs will get more money to house state inmates. However, Dardenne says health care will see less funding and other agencies will also see reductions.
“We have recommended anywhere from a .6 to a 2.25% reduction in other targeted areas of the state budget,” said Dardenne.
Lawmakers will spend the next few months combing through the budget and they are expected to approve a spending plan by the time the legislative session ends on June 1st.
