What impact might the current Senate and Congressional elections have on public schools? A BIG one!
Mississippi children benefit heavily from the federal investment in our public schools, and the folks we send to Washington determine, in large part, the resources that are available to educate our kids.
According to the Mississippi Legislative Budget Office, Mississippi received approximately $800-million in federal funds for public education in the most recent school year – almost 25% of the K-12 budget. That’s the equivalent of about 16,000 Mississippi teachers’ salaries and benefits. If those dollars were to be eliminated, local and state government would be faced with the nearly impossible task of replacing that funding.
Click here to see how much your district received in federal funding in the 2012-13 school year, the most recent year for which per-district spending is available. See news reports regarding the candidates’ statements about federal education funding and letters citing the importance of federal funds to education in our state from the chairs of the Mississippi Board of Education, the Community College Board, and the Institutions of Higher Learning here.
Public education supporters cannot afford to be naive about the effect that federal elections have on our schools. Those we elect to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives are responsible for shaping and voting on the budgets that determine the federal funds that flow to each state, including the vital federal dollars that help fund our children’s schools. Your vote matters. Here is important information on the upcoming elections:
Primary Runoff Election, June 24, 2014:
- Anyone who voted in the Republican primary and those who did not vote at all on June 3 can vote in the runoff on June 24
- Those who voted in the Democratic primary on June 3 may not vote in the Senate Republican runoff election on June 24
- If you will be out of town or otherwise unable to vote on June 24, you may cast an absentee ballot by 12:00 noon on Saturday, June 21
- Click here for more about casting absentee ballots, voter registration, and other primary election information
General Election, November 4, 2014:
- Every registered voter can vote in the election on November 4, 2014
- Mississippians are allowed to vote a split ticket in the General Election (a voter may cast votes for Republicans and Democrats on the same ballot)
- Click here for additional dates and information associated with the November General Election
Please remember to vote. Our children are counting on us to send the right folks to represent them in Washington. Your vote could make the difference!
