Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed a bipartisan bill Thursday night that would have significantly boosted state funding for public schools. The education bill was a top priority for House and Senate leaders and passed by wide margins after legislators struck a compromise. Lawmakers have scheduled a veto override vote for Monday.
Dunleavy said the education bill, which included homeschool and student transportation funding, a new position supporting charter schools and funding for students struggling to read, amounted to a “spending bill.” Per-student funding, now $5,960, has risen by just $30 since 2017, about half a percent. The figure would have to increase by about $1,100 to keep up with inflation, according to aDunleavy, a former teacher and administrator, said he believes additional funding will materialize for public schools at the end of the legislative session, just as it has in prior years.
But legislators aren’t ready to move on — at least, not yet. The House and Senate have tentatively scheduled a joint session for Monday afternoon to consider overriding the governor’s veto. They’ll need 40 out of 60 votes to do it. Stevens said he’s hopeful.