Budgets in Brief - January 21 2019
BIG TRANSPORTATION FUNDING PROBLEM IN OH
OHIO has run out of money for major road projects. A coalition of local governments, chambers of commerce, contractors, engineers and truck drivers called Fix Our Roads Ohio has formed to push for solutions to that problem, including increasing the state’s 28-cents-per-gallon gas tax. (COLUMBUS DISPATCH)
LA TEACHER STRIKE COSTING MILLIONS PER DAY
Tens of thousands of teachers walked off the job in Los Angeles last week in an effort to reduce class sizes, expand school support staff and boost their pay. With about two thirds of the L.A. Unified School District’s 485,000 students opting not to attend school since the strike began, district officials estimate they are losing $10 million to $15 million a day in state funding, which is based on student attendance. (LOS ANGELES TIMES)
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS FOCUSED ON SCHOOL FUNDING IN TX
GOP leaders in the TEXAS House and Senate have both unveiled budget proposals that would significantly increase funding for K-12 public education while capping property tax revenues. But among other things the lawmakers will have to resolve the disparity between the House’s 17.2-percent proposed funding increase and the 10.3 percent increase the Senate plan calls for. (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
CA TOWN LAUNCHES ‘GOAT FUND ME’ CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE FIRE THREAT
The tiny Northern CALIFORNIA town of Nevada City, with a population of 3,100 and an annual budget of $4 million, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to reduce the threat of wildfires with goats. The city hopes to raise $30,000 from its “Goat Fund Me” campaign for a grazing project on city-owned land. The coastal town of Laguna Beach has used goats to reduce the threat of brush fires there for decades. (LOS ANGELES TIMES)
-- Compiled by KOREY CLARK
As of mid-February, 21 states had passed laws streamlining regulations for the deployment of 5G or small-cell technology. In 12 of those states, Republicans controlled both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s office when the laws were enacted. In six others, control of the government was split between Democrats and Republicans. Only three of the states were governed entirely by Democrats.
