If the bill passed by the House and Senate is signed by Gov. Phil Bryant, Mississippi public education will receive a record $2.52 billion in 2016. Over 4 years, education funding will increase by $285 million.
On February 18th with virtually no debate, the House unanimously passed a bill to increase the Mississippi Adequate Education Program by $109.9 million. Since both chambers’ priorities were very similar, the Senate simply passed House Bill 1536 on March 17th with a 49-2 vote.
Those promoting Initiative 42, a proposed constitution amendment to require fully funding the MAEP formula, remain unsatisfied despite the record amount.
For more information:
- Senate sends $2.5 billion K-12 education budget to Bryant
- Education funding goes to governor, MAEP still short
- Lt. Gov. Reeves Press Release: Schools to Receive Record Funding
- House OKs $106M in new education funds
- House Approves $106M increase to MAEP
- House Bill 1536: Department of Education Appropriation