As Michigan public schools prepare their 2024-2025 budgets, schools should be aware of the short-term borrowing options available to cover their projected operating cash-flow shortfalls....more
While bonds can be used to finance capital needs for Georgia school districts, other strategies are available that do not require a referendum. Tax anticipation notes, multi-year lease purchases, certificates of...more
As Michigan public schools navigate the preparation of their 2023-2024 budgets, we wanted to again provide you with a reminder of the short-term borrowing options available to cover projected operating cash-flow shortfalls....more
While a recent Pennsylvania ruling issued In February 2023 has been hailed as a victory for the underfunded school districts in the state, it could be a long road ahead before meaningful change makes its way to the students,...more
Win in Court doesn’t Assure More Pennsylvania School Funding - “Pennsylvania is the latest state where the public school funding system was found to be unconstitutional, but the experience in other states suggests there’s...more
In response to several Florida school boards considering mask mandates in advance of school openings, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just signed an executive order threatening to withhold state funds from any school boards...more
For some time now, improving broadband internet access has been a priority for school districts and other political subdivisions across Ohio. Moreover, one of the main challenges faced by school districts in their efforts to...more
Last week, Mayor Kenney formally introduced his budget to City Council. His proposed budget includes: Public Strategies provides more detailed analysis of the budget proposal here. ...more
Judge Gina R. Russo of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas recently issued a decision awarding three Ohio public school districts $42 million, plus interest, based on the Ohio Department of Education (ODE)’s unlawful...more
Case Provides Valuable Guidance for Public Agencies Wanting One Contractor for Two Phases - A contractor that had two separate contracts with a school district — one for preconstruction services and the other for...more
Buried about two-thirds of the way through Michigan's 2016 School Aid Act was a fairly onerous provision with a deadline for compliance that was pushed out more than three years. ...more
Education is always a top public policy issue in Florida, and the 2019 legislative session was no different. This year, lawmakers made major investments in K-12 funding, expanded career and workforce education, revised school...more
After a 17-day delay, state budget negotiations have concluded, and Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio’s $69 billion two-year state operating budget into law. On June 30, lawmakers passed an interim budget, which ran through...more
The 86th Texas Legislative Session came to a close on Memorial Day. Over 7,300 bills were filed at the beginning of session, with over 1,250 ultimately becoming law. The 140-day session focused on major policy issues versus...more
For only the third time in the past 28 years, and for the first time since 2009, the Ohio General Assembly failed to pass a two-year state operating budget by the June 30 Constitutional deadline. The House and Senate passed...more
The General Assembly was not in session, but there was plenty of business being conducted under the Gold Dome today. House and Senate committees used the “day off” to continue to digest bills and resolutions passed by the...more
Another rainy day in Georgia did not stop members of the General Assembly from an early start. Early morning committee hearings in both chambers led into action on the floor where the Senate considered a number of measures. ...more
Wednesday marked Legislative Day 23 under the Gold Dome and presented another buffet of policy debate and action for legislators and lobbyists alike. After a substantial first course consisting of the House’s version of the...more
Legislative activity increased this week as bill introductions continued and committees began to vote on bills. Constitutional Amendment (H140) - Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson) was joined by fellow lawmakers Rep....more
As the legislative session nears its halfway point, Legislative Days continue to fill with committee meetings and floor action in the House and Senate. Indeed, the House took up its longest Rules Calendar so far this year and...more
Legislators took advantage of a cold and rainy day in Atlanta to stay indoors and warm themselves with vigorous debate of bills and resolutions on the House and Senate floors and in a myriad of committee meetings. Indeed, the...more
After leaving the building on Tuesday without a to-do list for today, House members returned to the State Capitol today only to have their Rules Committee conjure up a few tasks for them. Among the bills added to a same-day...more
North Carolina Legislators returned to Raleigh last week for their “short session” with a focus on revising the State budget bill passed last year. There was not much formal action in the two days the legislators returned to...more
Governor Cuomo’s 2018-2019 school aid proposal calls for an increase of about 3 percent or $769 million in total school aid. This is significantly lower than the $1.6 billion increase recommended by the Board of Regents. Many...more
ARIZONA - Chandler, Arizona - In August and September reports came to light of victims of alleged hazing and sexual assault at Hamilton High School. The reported incidents were shocking. Assaults occurred between...more