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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
The Secure Rural Schools Act, which provides essential funding for school districts surrounded by untaxed federal land, expired in fall 2023. However, on Tuesday, the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly, 399 to 5, to extend the program through 2027 and provide retroactive payments to affected districts. Jaime Green, the superintendent of Trinity Alps USD, emphasized the importance of the program, commenting: "If the Secure Rural Schools Act was extended, financially we will be alright for years to come." The program, originally enacted as a temporary measure, has faced funding lapses due to congressional disagreements. The recent extension aims to stabilize funding for rural schools, which have been significantly impacted by the decline of the logging industry and the federal government's ownership of land.
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Education Slice
California
Close to 40,000 foreign-born child care workers have left the profession due to the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies, according to a new study by the Better Life Lab at New America. This exodus represents about 12% of the foreign-born child care workforce, particularly affecting those with at least a two-year college degree and workers from Mexico. Chris Herbst, a professor at Arizona State University, said, "What's different now is the ferocity of the enforcement," highlighting the increased fear among workers. The report also notes that the child care industry, which supports over $152bn in economic activity, is facing a severe staffing crisis, exacerbated by a climate of fear that has led to a drop in both immigrant and U.S.-born workers. Many are shifting to private caregiving roles to avoid ICE encounters, further straining the already struggling child care sector.
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Education Slice
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott has launched his reelection campaign with a bold property tax-cut platform aimed at reducing the financial burden on homeowners. His plan includes eliminating school property taxes for homeowners, imposing stricter limits on property value increases, and making it harder for local governments to raise taxes. “Every single year, you, my constituents, keep saying our property taxes are too high,” Abbott said during a campaign event in Fort Worth. While some conservative groups support the initiative, tax policy experts express skepticism about its feasibility and potential impact on high tax bills. The proposal, which could cost the state billions, would require legislative approval and faces challenges in balancing the budget. Abbott remains optimistic, asserting that Texas's economic growth will sustain the necessary funding for these cuts.
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Education Slice
Florida
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the 'schools of hope' initiative will focus on the most challenging areas in the state, rather than high-performing schools. "They are going to the toughest areas that we have," DeSantis said, emphasizing the limited geographical scope of these schools. Despite concerns from school districts about the potential impact on resources, DeSantis assured that the initiative would not be a fiscal burden. The program, which began in 2017, allows charter schools to operate near struggling schools, but recent applications have raised alarms about their locations. State Rep. Robin Bartleman expressed skepticism, stating that the applications indicate a trend towards stable, high-performing schools. DeSantis also highlighted the success of New York-based Success Academy, which has shown impressive proficiency rates.
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