School Funding: Rell Plan Retooled

[Nutmegger]

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-education0327.artmar27,0,2761985.story?coll=hc-headlines-politics-state

The Democratic-controlled education committee rewrote part of Gov. M. Jodi Rell's education plan Monday, approving a complicated proposal that provides both additional education money and the option for property tax relief on a sliding scale for all 169 towns.

The bill would provide the biggest increase in educational cost-sharing funds in state history - $198 million - but the measure still requires approval by the House of Representatives and Senate as part of the overall $17.5 billion state budget. The final package, which requires Rell's approval, is not expected to be completed until early June.

The committee's move was made in response to the Rell administration's proposal to overturn a state law that says that any additional money that is designated for education must, in fact, be spent on education. The law, written about eight years ago, was passed after then-Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim and others earmarked state money for non-educational purposes, legislators said.

Rell called for spending even more money than the Democrats - $228 million in cost-sharing funds - but Rell's budget director, Robert Genuario, said he sees the bill as a good starting point for further negotiations.