The Mississippi House of Representatives took action today to eliminate the formula for funding public education known as the Mississippi Adequate Education Plan (“MAEP”) and replaced it with a new formula. The new formula has no requirement of that the legislature provide consistent funding in a particular amount nor any provision for increases over time as costs escalate.
The stated purpose behind the rewrite of the education formula was to achieve equitable funding throughout the state. However, a key recommendation from the consulting firm hired to assist on the project was left out of the bill. The provision–known as the 27% Rule– caps the amount that tax-rich school districts are required to spend towards public education. Removal of the cap would serve the spread state dollars around to poorer areas in need of greater funding and would have resulted in an additional $120 million in funding for schools in those areas. Representative David Baria (D-Bay St. Louis) offered an amendment to phase out the 27% Rule, but it was defeated along a mostly party-line vote. Other amendments offered by House Democrats were also defeated and the bill was passed by a vote of 67-52.
“The biggest problem with what we have done here today is to remove what has been the standard for funding education in our state for 20 years without providing any guarantee of any particular level of funding for schools whatsoever,” said House Minority Caucus Chairman David Baria. “Now, the legislature can decide every year what amount it wants to spend on public education without regard to what it actually costs to educate our children. This is a sad day for public school advocates.”
Office of the Minority Leader Press Release
1/17/2018
