=Of particular note is that the Governor’s recommended budgets for Special Education Transportation and Regular Transportation fall short of ISBE’s recommendation by about $32 million between the two programs. Although there are recommended funding increases for the MCAT funds over FY23 amounts, ISBE reported in its budget recommendation memo that proration would still be expected — even at these increased funding levels — for the transportation categoricals. ISBE anticipates its recommended funding levels would keep proration for Special Education Transportation at 84 percent and Regular Transportation proration at 83 percent, =
My thoughts are why the increases in other areas before transportation is made whole? Buses and fuel have really jumped up in cost, far beyond the overall rate of inflation. This one is an easy fix and still it remains underfunded.
Remember when Rauner’s teleprompter broke and he didn’t have his reading glasses to read the text copy Lisa Madigan offered him? Yeah, this was better.
== A state address for a national democratic audience that wasn’t watching. ==
Yeah, maybe a little too much red meat for Democratic presidential primary voters. But I thought when he stuck to the budget the address was rock solid.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 4:34 pm:
From my perch in Colorado, I watched the speech online. It appeared it was warmly received, although I couldn’t tell how often Republicans joined in applause. I did appreciate the Governor’s addressing both sides of the aisle and not just his own party.
The opening “joke” fell flat, but the rest of the speech seemed well constructed and moved from subject to subject smoothly.
It remains to be seen if the General Assembly can deliver on the Governor’s proposals.
Really like the MAP increase. However, this seems like a moment when the state could also return to funding the Veteran’s and National Guard grants, instead of having the public universities and community colleges absorb most of the costs through tuition waivers.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 2:08 pm:
I am hoping the Governor will blow his own horn…loudly… but not bigly.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 2:11 pm:
=Of particular note is that the Governor’s recommended budgets for Special Education Transportation and Regular Transportation fall short of ISBE’s recommendation by about $32 million between the two programs. Although there are recommended funding increases for the MCAT funds over FY23 amounts, ISBE reported in its budget recommendation memo that proration would still be expected — even at these increased funding levels — for the transportation categoricals. ISBE anticipates its recommended funding levels would keep proration for Special Education Transportation at 84 percent and Regular Transportation proration at 83 percent, =
My thoughts are why the increases in other areas before transportation is made whole? Buses and fuel have really jumped up in cost, far beyond the overall rate of inflation. This one is an easy fix and still it remains underfunded.
Transportation is a mandated service.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 2:21 pm:
Remember when Rauner’s teleprompter broke and he didn’t have his reading glasses to read the text copy Lisa Madigan offered him? Yeah, this was better.
- Maple Sugar - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 2:41 pm:
A state address for a national democratic audience that wasn’t watching.
- Chicago Voter - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 2:49 pm:
Refreshing.
- Henry - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 3:28 pm:
A lot of spending
- JJJJJJJJJJ - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 3:29 pm:
@Henry where should we cut?
- TNR - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 4:00 pm:
== A state address for a national democratic audience that wasn’t watching. ==
Yeah, maybe a little too much red meat for Democratic presidential primary voters. But I thought when he stuck to the budget the address was rock solid.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 4:34 pm:
From my perch in Colorado, I watched the speech online. It appeared it was warmly received, although I couldn’t tell how often Republicans joined in applause. I did appreciate the Governor’s addressing both sides of the aisle and not just his own party.
The opening “joke” fell flat, but the rest of the speech seemed well constructed and moved from subject to subject smoothly.
It remains to be seen if the General Assembly can deliver on the Governor’s proposals.
Overall…good (not great) speech.
- New Day - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 4:45 pm:
Rock solid. I mean it was no Pat Quinn notecard first inaugural but it was pretty good. /s
- Big Tent - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 6:04 pm:
===I did appreciate the Governor’s addressing both sides of the aisle and not just his own party.===
He was turning left and right to read his speech from the teleprompter…
- Oldtimer - Wednesday, Feb 15, 23 @ 6:28 pm:
Really like the MAP increase. However, this seems like a moment when the state could also return to funding the Veteran’s and National Guard grants, instead of having the public universities and community colleges absorb most of the costs through tuition waivers.