A group of about 40 parents and public school supporters chanted their dissatisfaction with proposed funding cuts in public education Saturday, a day after House and Senate budget negotiators reached agreement on a spending plan that would reduce education funding $2 billion a year, or $4 billion over the next two years. The group was small in comparison to most of the organized rallies in support of increased education funding this year, but they made their presence felt with loud chants outside the House and Senate chambers.
"The eyes of Texas are upon you," the protesters chanted, urging lawmakers to vote no on the proposed cuts in education. "Use the rainy day fund" was another chant - a reference to the decision of Republican leaders to not use any of the state's multi-billion-dollar rainy day fund to make up the revenue deficit that is expected to cost schools a decrease of about 6 percent from current law. Democrats have argued for use of the rainy day money to avoid the funding cuts - which are expected to cost about 30,000 jobs in school districts.
A public schools rally at the Capital this spring was attended by about 8,000 parents, teachers and public school supporters - the biggest turnout of the session on an issue. But the demonstrations failed to move legislative leaders off their decision to use the rainy day fund only to balance the current state budget that runs through August. House members are expected to take up proposals to help school districts deal with the funding cuts on Monday as well as adopt a plan to distribute the reductions among districts.
Source: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/05/parents-protest-school-cuts.html
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