Kevin Richert and Blake Jones

Budget committee briefed on $40 million schools can spend on COVID spikes, staff shortages

Another $5 million in federal funding may become available to schools by November.

Budget-writers return to work — and take a first look at 2022’s big decisions

The Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee took a first look at K-12 and higher education budget proposals, and glossed over a small but politically sensitive request from Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin.

Legislative roundup, 5.5.21: Day 115 focuses on exit strategies

Lawmakers won’t wrap up business before next week, making the marathon 2021 session a record-breaker.

Legislative roundup, 5.4.21: Senate passes key education budgets, including higher ed

Nearly four months after the start of the 2021 legislative session, the Statehouse K-12 and higher education budget debates effectively came to a conclusion Tuesday.

House passes higher ed, teacher salaries budgets

Monday’s House votes represent one key milestone on the path to adjourning the 2021 legislative session, the third-longest session in state history. Monday was Day 113 for this year’s session, five days shy of the record, set in 2003.

Legislative roundup, 4.20.21: Anti-sectarianism bill abruptly yanked

The debate over social justice and critical race theory has all but brought education budgeting to a dead stop, as the legislative session enters its 100th day.

Legislative roundup, 4.19.21: New bill targets sectarianism, critical race theory

The bill is the latest salvo in a debate that has brought education budget bills to a standstill.

Legislative roundup, 4.14.21: Senate goes on recess, saying, ‘We can’t move forward’

In a less-than-subtle rebuke of the House, the Senate wrapped up its floor session late Wednesday morning, and said it won’t reconvene until next week.

Legislative roundup, 4.12.21: Senate narrowly passes early education grant

The 18-17 vote kicks the controversial $6 million grant back to the House, which rejected an earlier version of the bill in March.

Legislative roundup, 4.7.21: Strong Students grant bill is dead for the session

Senators rejected an attempt to bring House Bill 294 back for another vote.