In vetoing the education bill crafted by the Democrat-led majorities in the Alaska Legislature, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the flawed legislation did not address Alaska’s disastrous educational outcomes but simply sought to spend more money.
In a May 19 press conference announcing his veto, Dunleavy said he believes the funding bill was negotiated in bad faith – pumping record-setting funds into a school system that produces some of the worst student outcomes in the nation.
In particular, Dunleavy wanted the bill to include reading incentive grants, open enrollment to allow students to attend any school – regardless of where they live, alternative ways to authorize new charter schools, and additional money for increasingly popular state-funded homeschool correspondence programs.
The vetoed bill sought to increase the per-pupil funding by a record-setting $700, which Dunleavy said he would have signed if it also included his policy reforms.
Throughout the legislative session, teachers’ unions and educational bureaucrats opposed nearly all reforms, claiming additional money should not be tied to any new mandates.
Dunleavy said there is no question that schools need money, but the question is how the money is being spent.
He then acknowledged that lawmakers might have the votes to override his veto, but he felt it was necessary to nix what he deemed to be a poorly crafted spending bill.
He closed by decrying the fact that those who demand funding increases are uninterested in needed policy reforms once they get their money.
“Once the money goes in – I’m taking bets – there will be no serious discussion on policy,” he said.
28 Comments
THANK YOU!
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I despise the Union. Nothing but legalized mafia.
Has there ever been a weaker and worse governor?
Yes, Governor Walker.
Why are you even on this site Manny? You are very negative on anything that is written. You seem like an unhappy person. I like that the governor vetoed this bill and I hope he veto’s more.
Maybe if we just ignore Manny he’ll go back to playing his video games.
My mission is to enlighten you and direct you away from your bad habits.
Thank you governor Dunleavy for calling the pretend education 57 bill a fraud!
Thank you Governor Dunleavy. No accountablity or enforceable goals for improving student performance, no record high school spending bill (BSA increase).
Finally, Todd Smoldon and Dunleavy come through!
Dunleavy is finally standing tall.
They don’t have the votes to override his vote, if these Rino/losers, republicans had a back bone.
Thank you, Governor!
The real disaster is the failure of the legislature to listen to a man who has spent his life in education from teaching to administration. 6 years have been wasted by the legislature of a governor’s two terms that had they listened to him in the beginning, the kids of Alaska would have been better educated. In the end, all he can do is veto their sick spending bill and all Alaskans can do is hope there is no over-ride. What a tragedy!
Shelia your blinders are exposing your ridiculous perspective! LETS GET THIS STRAIGHT, I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT DUNLEAVY FINALLY MANNED UP AND FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH ONE OF HIS CONVICTIONS! WE’VE WAITED FAR TOO LONG AS A STATE FOR HIM TO MUSTER UP A DETERMINED EFFORT!
YOU MENTIONED THE WELFARE OF THE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN AT STAKE. EXACTLY SHELIA! THOSE VERY CHILDREN YOU MENTIONED HAVE BEEN ABORTED, GROOMED INTO PEDOPHILE TOYS THROUGH LIBRARIANS EXPLOITATION, AND MUTILATED BY DUNLEAVYS VERY OWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES! SO SHELIA TRY A LITTLE HARDER TO VEIW YOUR UNCLE DUNLEAVY FROM A MORE ACCURATE PERSPECTIVE!
This right here. This.
We support Governor Dunleavy and are very grateful he finally has a voice.
In the meantime, I see where the legislators are working on HJR13, … looking for funding ( more money ) for Afghan immigrant visas, and support (money) for them.
Thank you, Governor Dunleavy!!
This all gets down to unions. Added to unscrupulous elected (?) representation. Unions should not be funding campaigns or political causes, especially governement unions. They should be representation only. In this case it is us, the taxpayers, funding the lobbying (NEA) to dump more money into a system that has proven time and time again to need an overhaul not more money. It is all power and control and nothing to do with improving anything. Disgusting. The spineless, morally bereft legislators who are owned by such unions need to be out of office. Alas though our election system needs an overhaul as well. What a mess.
great
too
Working from home offers flexibility and convenience, allowing you to create a personalized workspace. However, it also requires discipline and clear boundaries toa
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Legislature overrode Dunleavy’s veto by a huge margin. That’s rare. Maybe it’s because he is the worst governor we’ve ever endured.
How many times does he need to say, “What’s your plan to fix our education with this money?” Thank you Governor Dunleavy.
Just read that the legislators overturned the veto. Can the citizen overturn the legislators and get accountability from the schools and find out where our money is actually going.
YES!!! The good news is: YOU CAN VOTE OUT THE DEMOCRATS WHO DO NOT HAVE YOUR OR YOUR CHILDREN’S BEST INTEREST AT HEART. SIGN THE PETITION TO REPEAL RANK CHOICE VOTING!!! THE PETITION IS CURRENTLY CIRCULATING.
One great step forward would be to move them out of their safety zone in Juneau, and into a more accessible area of the state.. A place that the average Alaskan can visit, and witness their sessions.