Citizen Portal News US

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1 week ago

911 officials and EMS experts push for medical oversight and new funding as Council weighs OUC bills Office of Unified Communications Director Heather McGaffin and EMS experts told the Council the Emergency Medical Services Clarification Act should place clinical oversight and quality assurance authority with a dedicated medical director and require EMD certification; OUC also proposed a hotel surcharge to close an estimated $7.5 million funding gap for 911 modernization.

911 officials are pushing for critical reforms to enhance emergency response, including a proposed hotel surcharge to fund much-needed upgrades and a dedicated medical director for oversight.

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#US #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #WashingtonDCPublicSafety #HealthcareOversight

Citizen Portal News California

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2 weeks ago

Calbright seeks ongoing funding while LAO urges formula transition or phased approach Calbright President Ajita Menon described rapid enrollment and improved outcomes and asked for $38M ongoing proposed by the Governor; the Legislative Analyst's Office recommended either transitioning Calbright to the Student‑Centered Funding Formula or providing smaller one‑time funds while accountability measures are finalized.

Calbright College is experiencing a surge in adult learner enrollments and wage gains, but will $38 million in ongoing funding be enough to sustain its innovative programs?

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#CA #FundingReform #AccountabilityMeasures #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Texas

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3 weeks ago

Chair asks staff to draft discussion paper revising funding distribution for military‑to‑civilian transition programs Chairman Esparza asked staff to prepare a discussion paper proposing revised funding distribution options to improve access and continuity of services for transitioning service members, recently separated veterans and military spouses, including options for direct allocations to workforce boards serving major installations.

Chairman Esparza is pushing for revolutionary changes in funding distribution to better support service members transitioning to civilian life—could this be the game-changer we've been waiting for?

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#TX #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #TexasMilitary #VeteranSupport

Citizen Portal News Minnesota

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3 weeks ago

Senate committee approves dual‑enrollment funding task force after broad testimony on access and funding Lawmakers approved SF 2769 to create a time‑limited task force to study dual‑enrollment funding (PSEO/dual credit). Supporters urged attention to access, transportation, and equity; witnesses recommended broader stakeholder and faculty representation. The bill, as amended to add stakeholders, was referred to State and Local Government.

Minnesota is taking a bold step to ensure equitable access to dual-enrollment programs by launching a task force to address funding gaps and regional disparities.

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#MN #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #EquityInEducation #MinnesotaDualEnrollment #EducationAccess

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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3 weeks ago

Committee hears data and powerful testimony on bill to raise Alaska’s base student allocation Rep. Rebecca Himshute and invited principals told the committee HB374 seeks to raise the Base Student Allocation to address inflation, increased fixed costs and steep district shortfalls; principals described program cuts, staff losses and the prospect of school closures without higher BSA funding.

Alaska's schools face a critical crisis as rising costs threaten staffing stability and student opportunities, prompting urgent discussions on raising the Base Student Allocation.

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#AK #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #AlaskaEducation #TeacherRetention #SchoolStability

Citizen Portal News Maine

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3 weeks ago

Portland officials welcome EPS funding draft but warn it won’t replace this year’s cuts Portland Public Schools officials told the board’s Public & Legislative Affairs Committee that draft changes to the state’s EPS funding formula (LD 2226) would likely boost funding for most districts and could add $1–2 million for Portland, but they warned the revisions would not fully recover recent state funding losses and implementation timing is uncertain.

Portland officials are optimistic about the potential boost in EPS funding from the new draft but caution it won't fully recover from this year's $4 million cuts.

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#ME #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #EconomicDisparity #MaineEducation #SchoolBudgeting

The Federation

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3 weeks ago

How to use ONN’s funding reform research to advocate in times of austerity Join us to learn how your organization can use ONN’s research on funding reform to do effective government advocacy.

Our executive director, Amy Mullis, is speaking at an ONN webinar on March 11 (10–11:30 a.m. PT) about using funding reform research to strengthen nonprofit advocacy, especially in times of austerity.

Register: buff.ly/VUVtIDi

#NonprofitSector #FundingReform #Advocacy

Citizen Portal News West Virginia

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4 weeks ago

Treasurer warns House Bill 54‑53 could reshape school funding; board approves $634,210.11 in bills The district’s finance lead outlined a $634,210.11 bills package, highlighted an E‑Rate technology purchase and warned that House Bill 54‑53’s proposed $6,100 per‑student block grant could produce winners and losers among counties and potentially reduce Pendleton’s funding by about $1 million under some calculations.

Pendleton County's school board just approved over $634,000 in bills, but a new funding bill could slash their budget by $1 million—what does this mean for local education?

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#WV #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #WestVirginiaEducation #TechnologyInvestment #EquitableEducation

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

CTE directors urge caution on fast ESA rollout, call for rule updates and clearer funding CTE directors and center leaders told a Vermont House committee that a proposed Educational Service Agency (ESA) could expand access but needs clearer accountability, updated state rules, and more accurate fiscal modelling before an accelerated 12-month launch.

Vermont's CTE leaders warn that rushing the new Educational Service Agency could jeopardize vital programs unless clear rules and funding models are established first.

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#VT #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #EducationAccess #VermontCareerTech #AccountabilityInEducation

Citizen Portal News Wyoming

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1 month ago

Board reviews policies, student residency language and state bill that could change funding rules Board members reviewed Policy 5025 (nonresident student), discussed consolidating policies, kindergarten screener requirements, and heard a legislative update: changes to categorical funding, delayed health-insurance mandate, and new dual-enrollment dollars that could affect local budget flexibility.

The board's recent meeting unveiled crucial discussions on student residency definitions and legislative changes that could reshape local funding—what's at stake for our schools?

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#WY #FundingReform #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #EducationPolicy

Citizen Portal News Ohio

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1 month ago

Mason City Schools superintendent reports strong performance, highlights programs and warns on property-tax pressures Superintendent Doctor Cooper told the board that Mason City Schools is performing well — citing a 5‑star report card, high achievement rankings and strong staff engagement — while urging the community to follow statewide conversations about property-tax reform and school funding.

Mason City Schools is soaring with a 5-star report card and innovative programs, but the community must unite to address looming property-tax challenges.

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#MasonCitySchoolDistricts #OH #FundingReform #CommunityEngagement #MasonCitySchools #CitizenPortal #EducationExcellence

Citizen Portal News Iowa

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1 month ago

Kossuth County veterans officer warns state proposal could cut local grants and centralize claims County veterans service officer Dean Green told supervisors the state's proposed changes to veterans funding and a centralized IDVA claims system could eliminate long-standing $10,000 and $3,000 county grants and raise HIPAA and oversight concerns. Supervisors heard metrics and asked for updates from the county's legislative liaison.

Kossuth County's veterans officer warns that new state legislation could slash local grants and jeopardize veteran privacy with a centralized claims system.

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#KossuthCounty #IA #FundingReform #VeteransSupport #CitizenPortal #PrivacyConcerns

Citizen Portal News Minnesota

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1 month ago

Minnesota panel backs creation of task force to review dual-enrollment funding The Senate Education Policy Committee advanced Senate File 2769, which would create a time-limited task force to study how Minnesota funds dual-enrollment programs (PSEO and concurrent enrollment), after authors and student, educator and principal witnesses testified about access gaps, funding complexity, and geographic inequities.

Minnesota is taking a bold step to reform dual-enrollment funding with a new task force aimed at addressing equity gaps and access issues for thousands of students.

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#MN #FundingReform #EquityGaps #CitizenPortal #StudentAccess #MinnesotaEducation

Citizen Portal News Georgia

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1 month ago

Member previews changes to Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act funding formula, says state lost $7 million last year A committee member previewed House Bill 919 to revisit the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act funding share (now 40%) and remove penalty provisions; member cited an estimated $7 million revenue decline and signaled further work next year to increase land-preservation funds.

Georgia's Outdoor Stewardship Act could see a major overhaul, potentially boosting funding for land preservation after a staggering $7 million loss last year.

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#GA #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalProtection #OutdoorStewardship #GeorgiaLandPreservation

Citizen Portal News Alaska

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1 month ago

DEED outlines statutory basis for residential-school stipends; rates unchanged since FY2015 The department reviewed the statutory history for state residential-stipend funding, explained program categories (year-long statewide vs variable-term CTE programs), and confirmed stipend rates have not changed since FY2015; a new Bristol Bay Region CTE variable-term program was approved for FY27, pending legislative funding.

Alaska's residential school stipend rates have remained stagnant since 2015, but a new program on the horizon could shake things up!

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#AK #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #AlaskaEducation #EducationalEquity #CareerTechnicalEducation

Citizen Portal News Utah

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1 month ago

Committee adopts revenue swap and backs SB151 to add troopers The committee adopted a fourth substitute to SB151 to reallocate existing revenue (a swap of insurance premium tax and general fund allocations) to cover about three‑quarters of a shortage of Utah Highway Patrol troopers; the substitute and final bill passed unanimously.

Senator Harper's SB151 aims to tackle Utah's Highway Patrol staffing shortage without raising taxes, ensuring public safety while reallocating existing funds.

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#UT #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #HighwaySafety #LawEnforcement

Citizen Portal News Connecticut

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1 month ago

Providers Urge $155M to Close Medicaid Rate Gap; Say Low Payments Are Driving Care Shortages Nonprofit and clinical providers told the subcommittee that Medicaid reimbursement rates are well below peer states and Medicare benchmarks, causing workforce shortages, service closures and long waits. Many asked the committee to enact a $155 million FY27 appropriation to implement the state rate study.

Connecticut's Medicaid rates are leaving providers in crisis, with community clinics struggling to fill positions and patients facing year-long waits for care.

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#CT #FundingReform #BehavioralHealth #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Maine

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1 month ago

Debate over making Maine Free Community College permanent: costs, eligibility and program design Maine Community College System President David Degler described the governor's proposal to fund current commitments and tighten eligibility going forward; supporters and faculty groups testified both for permanency and for revisiting the tuition-replacement funding model to avoid eroding program quality.

The future of Maine's Free Community College program hangs in the balance as new eligibility rules spark a heated debate among educators, students, and business leaders.

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#ME #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #MaineCommunityCollege #EducationAccess

Citizen Portal News Tennessee

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1 month ago

TDOE details IDEA high-cost and special-school transportation reimbursements, new upload rules and June 3 opening Tennessee Department of Education staff outlined how LEAs should apply for IDEA high-cost reimbursements and State Special School Transportation (SSST) for FY2026, clarified documentation and file formats, announced that redaction of IEP PII is no longer required, and said the instrument will open June 3 with a tentative Sept. 1 close.

Tennessee's Department of Education is streamlining the application process for high-cost reimbursements to ensure students with disabilities receive the support they need—don't miss the crucial details!

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#TN #FundingReform #DocumentationGuidelines #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Nevada

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1 month ago

Funding panel backs concept of stacked student weights — special‑education excluded — subject to funding triggers After hearing analysis of cost and overlap, the commission adopted a motion supporting the concept of stacking student weights (special‑education excluded), recommending staff draft discounted-stack options to address EL/at‑risk overlap and tie implementation to funding milestones so the policy is phased only when additional funding is available.

Nevada's funding panel is moving towards a groundbreaking policy of stacked student weights, aiming to better support diverse needs without jeopardizing special education funding!

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#NV #FundingReform #PolicyDevelopment #CitizenPortal #StudentSupport #NevadaEducation

Citizen Portal News Washington

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1 month ago

Committee hears bill to raise deed surcharge to fund mortgage‑fraud prosecutions The Appropriations Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5,109 to raise the deed‑of‑trust recording surcharge from $1 to $5, remove its sunset, and direct the increased funds to the mortgage lending fraud prosecution account to expand local prosecutors’ capacity.

A proposed bill could boost funding for mortgage fraud prosecutions in Washington by raising the recording surcharge from $1 to $5, addressing a critical gap in resources for local prosecutors.

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#WA #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #EconomicCrimes #MortgageFraud

Citizen Portal News New Hampshire

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1 month ago

Committee approves use of reimbursement anticipation notes as collateral for certain education funds The Education Funding Committee approved HB1495, 10–8, allowing reimbursement anticipation notes (RANs) tied to RSA 186‑C:18 (special education aid) and RSA 198:42 (adequacy aid) to be used as collateral for the purposes for which the anticipated funds were allocated. Opponents warned the change may be impractical for small districts.

New Hampshire's Education Funding Committee has narrowly approved a controversial bill allowing school districts to leverage special education and adequacy funds as collateral, sparking debate over potential challenges for smaller districts.

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#NH #FundingReform

Citizen Portal News North Carolina

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1 month ago

Surry County sets $100,000 base for volunteer fire departments, moves Franklin and Banner Town into contracts After public comment and extended debate, the Surry County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 16 to include 17 volunteer response districts under a revised funding matrix, offer contracts to Franklin and Banner Town volunteer departments and set a flat $100,000 base allocation for each volunteer department.

Surry County's Board of Commissioners just approved a game-changing $100,000 funding boost for each of its 17 volunteer fire departments, igniting a crucial debate on resource allocation and community safety!

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#SurryCounty #NC #FundingReform #VolunteerFirefighters

Citizen Portal News California

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1 month ago

CAO outlines $29M+ in HAP recaptures and time‑sensitive reprogramming to meet June 30, 2026 deadline The CAO told the committee it identified recaptured savings across HAP rounds (about $7.4M in HAP2, $29M in HAP3 and $9.3M in HAP4) and recommended reprogramming some funds for interim housing repairs, Project Homekey sites and a 94‑unit permanent supportive housing project; committee deferred full action to a special meeting while seeking more detail from CAO and CLA.

The City Administrative Officer unveiled a pivotal report detailing over $29 million in recaptured funds aimed at bolstering Los Angeles' homelessness initiatives, but urgent repairs and procedural questions loom large.

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#LosAngelesCityLosAngelesCounty #CA #FundingReform

Citizen Portal News New Mexico

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1 month ago

Senate committee backs HB8 to create $300M higher‑education major projects fund, prioritizes UNM medical school The Senate Education Committee recommended HB8 'do pass' as amended after detailed testimony and questions on the bill's $300 million transfer, initial priorities (including $150 million for the UNM School of Medicine), design and match requirements, and HED's role in administering the fund.

The Senate Education Committee has just advanced a pivotal bill to create a $300 million fund for major higher-education projects, prioritizing the UNM School of Medicine amid rising construction costs.

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#NM #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #EducationPolicy #NewMexicoHigherEducation

Citizen Portal News Georgia

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1 month ago

Technical College System asks to reinstate pilot funding, cites enrollment and workforce gains TCSG told the appropriations subcommittee a 9.4% formula-driven increase reflects credit-hour growth; the agency flagged elimination of $4.7M for a five-school Dual Achieve pilot and requested reinstatement to continue the program that has enrolled >4,000 and produced >700 graduates.

The Technical College System of Georgia is calling for a crucial funding reinstatement to support a successful pilot program that has already graduated over 700 students and is vital for meeting workforce demands.

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#GA #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaEducation

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

Ways & Means hears JFO scenarios for Universal Pre‑K funding; report handed to Human Services and Education The Ways & Means committee heard a Joint Fiscal Office presentation outlining three funding scenarios for Universal Pre‑K (UPK), discussed tradeoffs (money‑follows‑student, prorated weights, CCFAP interactions) and scheduled a tri‑committee hearing to review the JFO report next Friday at 1 p.m.

The Ways & Means committee is diving deep into the future of Universal Pre-K funding, exploring three distinct models that could reshape how our kids learn before they even step into a classroom!

Get the details!

#VT #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #VermontEducation #EarlyChildhood

Citizen Portal News California

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1 month ago

Tehachapi Unified approves letter urging LCFF concentration grant fix after trustees cite 44% unduplicated pupil rate The Tehachapi Unified School District Board unanimously approved a letter to state lawmakers asking that the LCFF concentration grant threshold be revised or placed on a sliding scale after officials said the district’s 44% unduplicated pupil rate disqualifies it from concentration funding. Trustees also approved a corrected wording after closed session.

Tehachapi Unified is calling on lawmakers to revise the funding rules that leave them shortchanged despite serving a high number of students in need.

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#CA #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #PolicyChange

Citizen Portal News New Mexico

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1 month ago

Committee advances Foster Care Plus pilot with reporting, funding in HB2; members press for accountability The committee adopted a substitute for HB65 to codify a CYFD Foster Care Plus pilot, rename it, require clinical-assessment-based placement and reporting to the Legislature, and advance a funding request already included in HB2; committee approved the substitute 8–1 amid questions about sufficiency of funds and implementation capacity.

New Mexico lawmakers are taking bold steps to enhance the Foster Care Plus pilot program, but will it be enough to address concerns about funding and capacity?

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#NM #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #NewMexicoFosterCare #LegislativeAccountability #ChildWelfare

Citizen Portal News Texas

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1 month ago

Pension Review Board committee begins four‑year review of FSRP rules, flags member communications and unilateral‑submission concerns PRB staff outlined proposed changes to Funding Soundness Restoration Plan (FSRP) rules and possible statutory recommendations, including tighter member‑communication requirements and limits on unilateral submissions; staff seeks stakeholder feedback and plans rulemaking through September.

The Pension Review Board is launching a crucial four-year review of Funding Soundness Restoration Plans, aiming to improve transparency and communication for stakeholders.

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#TX #FundingReform #CitizenPortal #TexasPension #StakeholderInput #MemberCommunications