Shumlin touts education agenda successes, acknowledges legislative resistance to EITC proposal

by Nat Rudarakanchana April 25, 2013 vtdigger.org After honoring six Vermont high school seniors vying for a Presidential Scholarship, Gov. Peter Shumlin cited his legislative and political successes on the education front so far. Shumlin made the comments at his weekly press conference. He was more hesitant to discuss items on his agenda that have so far failed to gain traction in the Legislature.
Shumlin touted a free school lunch program for all students who qualify for reduced lunch prices that was passed by both the House and Senate; $400,000 in grants to help start up publicly funded pre-schools; $2.5 million in financial aid to Vermonters attending UVM, Vermont State Colleges, and for the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation.
He also lauded the so-called flexible pathways legislation, approved by the Senate, which aims to tailor personalized learning plans for each student, and increase technical and hands-on career experience offered to high school students.
Shumlins latest thoughts on the Legislatures rejection of his plan to transfer $17 million in low-income tax credits to a child care subsidy program, however, were harder to gauge. The proposal was a priority laid out in his inaugural speech, which concentrated solely on education issues.
We went in with a huge education agenda, Shumlin said. There isnt a governor who goes in with as ambitious an agenda as we did and thinks theyre going to get it all done in one session.
I think were on the right track. If it takes us a year or two to settle every part of it, you know, Im hoping that Vermonters arent going to fire me this week, the governor said.
The House Appropriations committee approved $3.3 million in additional funding for child care subsidies late last month. Meanwhile, the administration notched back its target for child care subsidies to about $12 million, down $5 million from its January proposal. Senate Appropriations hasnt yet issued a decision on the matter.
Shumlin continues to insist that the childcare subsidy investment must be made without raising broad-based taxes. If youre going to fund early child care education, you have to do it from dollars that were currently spending, he said.
$12 million is better than $3 million, and $17 million is even better than that, he told reporters. Though he said hed be disappointed if legislators stuck with $3 million, he added: Will I be sorely disappointed, and ranting and raving? No.
Although Shumlins remarks could signal that he would accept defeat on this issue, it appears he isnt quite ready to give up. Its a debate thats ongoing in the Legislature, and I think you need to hope that theyll act on the proposal, he told reporters.
House Republicans have asked for a fiscal note on the total cost of Shumlins education reforms.