With the General Assembly set to adjourn this weekend, our elected leaders are hurrying to pass a budget.
And the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus is pushing the Senate's budget proposal, since that body is controlled by the Democrats.
In a February 10th news release, the Caucus said the Senate “introduced a balanced budget restoring funding cuts to education, public safety and health care.” And, they criticized House Republicans by saying the House “introduced a budget that cuts $50 million from education, and reduces funding from other core areas.”
Does the House budget cut $50 million from education?
PolitiFact Virginia says yes, but as always nothing is black and white.
First, PolitiFact Virginia researchers note that much of the $50 million reduction in the House budget is based on fewer students attending Virginia public schools than expected. As a result, the schools would lose money. But, as PolitiFact Virginia notes the “spending on a per-pupil basis would remain relatively constant.”
Still, the House budget removes $55.4 million in education funds, shifting that money to the Virginia Retirement System, which has been underfunded for years.
Technically, that's money the localities could have used for textbooks and other education expenses.
PolitiFact Virginia contacted Jim Regimbal, a former legislative aide and current consultant, to get his take. He said the money going to the VRS means “less on-the-ground spending for teaching kids.”
As a result, PolitiFact Virginia's verdict on the Senate Democratic Caucus claim: True. Regardless of where the money is being re-directed, the researchers note that it is a cut of $50 million.
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