Resources make a big difference in being able to help students achieve.
The legislators making these decisions need to hear from educators now about what they know they need for their students. This year's budget process may stretch into the fall. It is unclear whether or not the legislature will act on a long-term funding commitment for the schools in the FY02 budget or whether they will consider it in a separate bill in the late summer and fall. The process for next year's state budget had already begun when the governor proposed his budget in House 1. After the House passes a state budget, the Senate begins its process with consideration first in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, then moves to the Senate floor in June.