Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Issue Position: Education

Eight years ago, teacher salaries were the lowest of the fifty states. Eight years later, those salaries are still at the bottom. Additionally, districts have been forced to raise their property taxes to keep their schools operating. Children are our most precious resource. We need to invest in them and their education, which means providing state funds for education.

As Governor I will:

* Allocate 70% of education costs to come from the state budget. This will ensure:

That there is an equitable distribution of funds to all districts in the state. Schools won't be funded according to an uneven property tax base.

* Take the burden off of the local property tax base.

Communities have been forced to raise property taxes to raise money for their schools that the state should be providing. Increasing the state's commitment to school funding will result in permanently lower property taxes. A state funding formula will also ensure that all children have equal access to a quality education.

* Raise teacher salaries to a level competitive with other states.

Teaching is difficult work. We need to make sure we are recruiting and retaining the finest teachers possible for our children. A committed investment of state funding will send the message that our kids are important and their teachers are important.

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