Legislative advisers say large state deficit likely to squeeze special‑education funding
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Summary
Legislative advisers told the Millard Public Schools board that the state faces a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar shortfall and that special‑education reimbursement is being held roughly flat in budget proposals, a development that could reduce district reimbursements and shift funding strategies.
Legislative advisers briefed the Millard Public Schools board on the state legislative session and warned that a large budget shortfall will constrain education spending. “There’s a significant budget deficit coming into this session, $471,000,000,” a legislative representative said, and the Appropriations Committee’s preliminary work placed the gap nearer $344,000,000.
The advisers said the session has become a sprint focused on priority bills and budget work. They described three likely approaches to closing the gap: tapping cash funds and transfers, pursuing fee increases rather than broad new taxes, and prioritizing which bills receive floor time. “We will be transferring a lot of money,” one presenter said of likely cash‑fund transfers and rainy‑day fund draws.
Why it matters: board members pressed on how the deficit affects education programs. Presenters said the governor’s and the committee’s proposals hold special‑education appropriations roughly flat, rather than increasing toward an 80% reimbursement target the district has seen in recent years. One board member summarized the change: the governor’s budget reduces a projected special‑education appropriation by roughly $8,000,000 in the biennium, and that flat funding could lower district reimbursement rates.
Board members asked whether carryover bills or election‑year politics might change outcomes. Advisers said carryover measures sometimes get prioritized but that a priority designation does not guarantee committee votes; success still requires committee support and floor time. Advisers also warned that election‑year dynamics could produce policy proposals that are more about messaging than likely enactment.
The presentation flagged schedule and process milestones: priority designation deadlines and committee work in February (as presenters noted), with heavy budget debate expected in March. The advisers said districts should expect prolonged appropriations deliberations and potential downstream effects on bills that require funding.
The board did not take formal action; presenters offered to follow up with district staff on specific budget items. The meeting then moved on to a separate agenda item on district literacy initiatives.