GOP Legislative Leaders Say Education Is Top Priority

Republican legislative leaders say education will be their top priority in the upcoming session, and they’re putting a special emphasis on driving dollars directly to the classroom.

When House Republicans unveiled their legislative agenda last month, increasing public education funding was near the top of the list. During his address at the swearing in ceremony for House members, Speaker Brian Bosma told lawmakers the GOP will support initiatives to ensure dollars are spent in the classroom.

“And the first is an effort to compensate teachers without the administrative middleman and the second is an effort to cut administrative costs,” Bosma said.

Bosma notes that for every dollar the state spends on education, 43 cents is spent on administration. Senate President Pro Tem David Long says he sees both efficiencies and inefficiencies in school districts around the state.

“Not all administrators are unnecessary though, we’re not saying that," Long said. "But I’m saying we need to be as efficient with that money as possible, make sure as much as possible goes into that classroom and into our teachers’ hands as well.”

The House GOP is proposing a tax credit for teachers to help offset out-of-pocket expenses.  Bosma says they’ll also explore incentivizing school district consolidation.