The Joint Legislative Budget Committee adjourned its meeting last week without adopting its annual budget recommendation after Gov. Reeves refused to agree to the revenue estimate adopted by the committee. Reeves wanted a higher revenue estimate, which he said would make it easier to eliminate the income tax in the 2024 Session, a move that […]
Voucher and State Budget News Read More »
Your vote on November 7 could have a dramatic impact on our children’s futures. Have you made your plan to vote? Mississippi’s coffers are flush with hefty financial reserves, so it’s more important than ever to elect folks who believe that our public schools deserve adequate funding, that public funds should be restricted to accountable
So Important to Vote November 7 Read More »
Public schools – and your pocketbook – are on the ballot in November, and your vote could make the difference! Among the hottest topics being discussed by legislators and candidates are PERS and school funding. The PERS board is sounding an alarm, telling legislators that additional funding will be needed to shore up the state’s
PERS, MAEP, and Voucher Scams Read More »
Mississippi’s public school teachers are ROCK STARS! School and district accountability ratings are out, and the news is good! Of Mississippi’s 138 traditional public school districts, 96% are rated C or better, and 71% are rated A or B. Of Mississippi’s seven charter schools that received ratings, 14% are rated C; no charter school is
Accountability Ratings are Out, Public Schools Continue to Shine Read More »
If your goal is to spend hundreds of millions of state tax dollars for students to LEARN LESS, Indiana has just the plan for you: VOUCHERS for private school tuition! Lately, a number of states have been busy demonstrating for us why vouchers are such a terrible idea. Here are some takeaways: • Arizona will
An Incredibly Bad Idea Read More »
The Mississippi Constitution is clear: our obligation as a state is to PUBLIC schools open to all, not private schools open only to a few. Mississippi’s Attorney General is on the wrong side. We stand with Parents for Public Schools in proclaiming that public funds are for public schools. Read story from Mississippi Today: AG’s office
Mississippi’s AG on Wrong Side, State’s Obligation is to Public Schools Read More »
The House passed HB 1671 without eliminating the tax credits that benefit private schools, though the increase in private school funding that had been added to the bill was removed. HB 1671 includes the Children’s Promise Act – the law that was supposed to encourage donations to organizations that serve children in foster care but, instead, diverted
Private School Funding Still in HB 1671 Read More »
The Mississippi Constitution is clear: taxpayer dollars may not be appropriated for private schools. The authors of the State Constitution understood that strong public schools are unique in their contribution to the wellbeing of our communities and our state – and that the greatest threat to this vital common good is the siphoning of public funds
Mississippi Constitution: No Public Funds for Private Schools Read More »
Yesterday, Judge Crystal Wise Martin heard arguments in a lawsuit challenging the Mississippi Legislature’s appropriation of $10-million to private schools through an infrastructure grant program. A ruling in the lawsuit, brought by Parents for Public Schools, can be expected “sooner rather than later,” according to Judge Martin. The Mississippi Constitution prohibits any appropriation of public funds
Lawsuit Challenges Public Funds Going to Private Schools Read More »
We’ve got two very important pieces of information to share on which you might want to take action. School board seats in 80 school districts will be on the ballot this fall. School boards play an extremely important role in determining the quality of education provided our children, so please pay close attention to these elections.
Two Important Things Read More »
