Education on the Ballot « The Quick and the Ed

Education on the Ballot

The Governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey will get most of the attention tomorrow. But also on the ballot are several state initiatives ($) that could have an impact on education:

In Maine, voters are considering a referendum to overturn a school consolidation law passed in 2008, which mandates school district restructuring. A “Yes” vote repeals the law. This will get significantly less attention than another referendum on the ballot.

Texas voters will consider a proposition to change the way the state funds its research universities. If passed, the amendment will eliminate the Texas higher education fund, but create an independent fund that will raise the profile of research universities in the state to “achieve national prominence.”

In Washington, voters are considering Initiative Measure No. 1033, which limits the growth of certain state, county, and city revenue to annual inflation and population growth. This measure may have impacts on education, according to state teachers unions.

An Ohio ballet measure (Issue 3), would authorize casino gambling in the state, with 34 percent of the revenue reserved for public school districts.

These measures may provide a preview of coming attractions: most of the conversation in state legislatures next year is likely to be focused on finance, not on reform. So even the most reform-minded legislatures are likely to view everything through the lens of their budgets.

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