Okay, folks, we've been watching the continuing state budget theater show for some weeks now and it is getting very very old. Once again state workers are being regarded as collateral damage and acceptable loss.
But it is August now and, like many parents, I'll be shopping for school supplies this week. It will be back to school time within the month for most schools and colleges in the state.
Right now financial aid for college students and school funding are in limbo. If this is not resolved within a week or so there won't be time to get paperwork in order to pay bills, hire teachers, and get schools ready for the fall.
Speaking for myself, a small tax increase is going to be a lot less expensive in the long run than trying to juggle home and work responsibilities if school doesn't start on time or gets off to a sluggish start. After school programs which were already in precarious positions won't be able to guarantee workers jobs and would then have to scramble to find staff when needed. A day camp in my area runs around $200 to $300 per week; an after school program which closes at 6 (and they all close at 6) runs around $270 per month. That's per child. Families who have carefully budgeted to get through the summer are going to be in for a rude surprise if they have to come up with alternate arrangements if school buildings aren't ready, teachers aren't in the classrooms, textbooks aren't on the shelf, and all necessary support staff aren't on hand. Watch the state test scores plummet if the curriculum materials are delayed or school starts late.
The budget impasse is just embarrassing. But messing with school funding, student aid, or the start of the school year is mass political suicide. Of course, that's just my opinion.
Monday, August 03, 2009
A Personal Note on the State Budget
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4 comments:
Thank you for posting this. While a lot of attention has been given to the state employees, the media has not devoted enough coverage to the thousands of municipal contractor, agencies, schools and other entities who have not received money for over a month. It is being to affect the level of services to everyone throughout the Commonwealth. These politicians should be hanging their heads in shame and working every day to resolve the impasse. I hope voters, Democrat and Republican remember who caused this mess at election time.
thanks for your comment!
Thank you for posting your opinion. While you are able to budget for your food, bills, etc... there are those out there that aren't able to budget because they simply have not been paid. Yes, your view point is valid and yes, your opinion about education is valid but it should not down play the fact that state workers aren't getting paid, bills aren't being met and our children won't only be behind in school but parents won't even be able to pay their tuition. We don't care about summer camp! We care about whether we are going to have food on the table tonight! Yes, there are some that qualified for the glorified loans but there are many many many people that did not because they were only extended to those with exeplory credit history.
Once again, thank you for your opinion but it really is not a major issue to start school late when there are families that can't afford the luxury of food. Be grateful that you have food on the table and complain less about starting school late.
We're on the same side here -- we both want a good state budget passed. There is no intention to downplay the pain being inflicted on the families of state workers. That pain will be even more widespread if school doesn't start on time and those on a tight budget suddenly have to come up with unexpected childcare ....
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