Perdue purges educational dollars

Perdue Cuts to Education Total over $2.3 billion
Despite claims, Perdue cuts education this year by $444 million


(Atlanta) A look behind Gov. Sonny Perdue’s rhetoric about his new education budget shows that the facts do not match his words. He has trumpeted his new budget as a windfall for Georgia’s schools, but a look at the actual budget document shows that this year’s budget is the same as every other he has proposed – deep cuts to Georgia’s support of elementary and secondary schools, and slashes to the budget of our University System.

This year’s budget cuts the state’s support of local schools by $170 million, and cuts the University System budget by $274 million – a total education cut of $444 million. Gov. Perdue’s education legacy is now one of over $2.3 billion in Georgia’s public education system. In addition to damage to our schools, the Perdue cuts have driven up property tax rates in nearly 100 schools districts across Georgia. [The Governor’s Budget Report, FY 2007, p. 151 and p. 287: Millage Rates from Georgia School Superintendents Association]

“Just because Gov. Perdue has set such an abysmally low bar for funding education does not mean that Georgians should cheer when he ‘only’ cuts schools by $170 million and universities by $274 million this year,” said Bobby Kahn, Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia. “Only Gov. Perdue would claim that slashing education by over $2.3 billion is good for our schools or good for our universities. Our children deserve better and fortunately we will have a to do just that later this year.”

Proposed Cuts to Education by Perdue
Amount
Cite



State Board of Education (QBE Funding)


Fiscal Year 2007
169,670,315
[The Governor’s Budget Report, FY 2007, p. 151]

Fiscal Year 2006
332,835,102
[The Governor’s Budget Report, FY 2007, p. 142]

Fiscal Year 2005
332,835,102
[The Governor’s Budget Report, FY 2007, p. 142]

Fiscal Year 2004
283,478,659
[The Governor’s Budget Report, FY 2007, p. 142]

Amended Fiscal Year 2003
134,594,245
[Comparative Summary of HB 121, S.F.Y. 2003 Amended General Appropriations Act, p.18]

Total K-12 cuts
1,253,413,423


University System of Georgia (Funding Formula)


Fiscal Year 2007
274,514,400
[The Governor’s Budget Report, FY 2007, p. 287]

Fiscal Year 2006
274,294,562
[The Governor’s Budget Report, Amended FY 2005 & FY 2006, p. 278]

USG FY 2005 accounting gimmick
64,000,000
[Simmons, "Higher tuition brings angst; Decision near on midyear hike," Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 10/10/2004]

Fiscal Year 2005
224,009,891
[The Governor's Budget Report, Fiscal Year 2005, p. 190]

Amended Fiscal Year 2004
35,956,453
[Governor's Recommended Budget, Amended Fiscal Year 2004, p. 64]

Fiscal Year 2004
150,126,397
[The Governor's Budget Report, Fiscal Year 2004, p. 327]

Amended Fiscal Year 2003
46,354,648
[The Governor's Budget Report, Amended Fiscal Year 2003, p. 102]

Total University System of Georgia cuts
1,069,256,351


Total Education Cuts by Perdue
$2,322,669,774