Thursday, April 19, 2012

The House Ways and Means Budget increases funding regressively

You might remember that the foundation formula came out of a lawsuit filed on behalf of children in Massachusetts whose education was not being equitably funded.
Children from places like Worcester.
There's a reason why communities like Worcester get more funding from the state: there's a greater proportion of need in urban communities.

So a flat increase in ed funding necessarily is regressive, and contrary to the very reason why we have a foundation formula.
Unfortunately, the House Ways and Means much-touted $40/student increase is exactly that.The below chart from Mass Budget and Policy tells the story:

Yes, that means more of this money is going to wealthier communities.
Call your reps!

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