Democrats oppose cuts to education
Mississippi Democratic Trust Press
Contact: Brandon Jones, (228) 326-7649, director@msdemocratictrust.com
March 16,
2012
Jackson, MS – With
the passing of another general bill deadline in the Mississippi legislature,
Democrats in the House and Senate are returning their attention to the state
budget and are again vowing to oppose the Republican plan to cut education by
more than $100 million below last year’s appropriations.
Despite years
of budget cuts to education, the Republican budget proposed by Governor Phil
Bryant on January 31, 2012 would cut elementary education by nearly $73
million, community colleges by over $12 million, and Mississippi’s Institutions
of Higher Learning by over $18 million.
"With the
improving economy and improving tax collections, we have enough money to at
least maintain last year's level of education funding," said Sen. Hob
Bryan, D-Amory. "It's hard to
believe that Gov. Bryant would propose even deeper cuts to education when they
simply aren't necessary. I don't
remember the Republicans promising to cut education during the campaign."
Even at last
year’s level of appropriations, the state is short-changing public schools by
$200 million, and they are trying to get by with hundreds of fewer teachers
than before.
Rep. Cecil
Brown (D-Jackson) said, “At a time when we should be preparing Mississippi
students for success in an increasingly competitive job market, Republicans are
proposing that we cut education by more than $100 million. This proposal is out of touch with our
current needs.”
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The Mississippi
Democratic Trust seeks to help elect Democratic candidates who will provide
sensible and responsible leadership for Mississippi
