65% Deception: Status in the States

Here is a quick look at the how the 65% Deception is faring in states around the country. To date, NEA state affiliates and their allies are having considerable success in convincing the public and state legislators that the 65% one-size-fits-all budget yoke on individual school districts is short-sighted and bad policy. This page will be updated regularly, so please check back periodically.

Where 65% Proposals Are Pending

South Carolina

A 65% proposal rejected by the legislature in 2006, but the scheme has been reintroduced in 2007.

South Dakota

Proposal introduced in legislature.

Vermont

Proposal introduced in legislature.

 

Where 65% Proposals Have Been Defeated

Arizona

Petition drive to qualify proposal for statewide ballot shut down due to insufficient funding.

Colorado

A confusing picture emerged in Colorado where two competing "65%" plans were presented to the state's voters in November 2006. Voters responded by rejecting both.

Florida

A 65% proposal supported by the governor was rejected by the legislature.

Illinois

 Proposal rejected by the legislature.

Louisiana

The legislature passed a resolution passed in 2005 directing a study of the issue. The study was conducted and its report was submitted to the legislature, which then rejected the 65% concept as recommended by the report.

Minnesota

Proposal rejected by the legislature.

Mississippi

Proposal rejected by the legislature.

Missouri

A "66 2/3%" proposal supported by the governor was rejected by a legislative committee.

Oklahoma

A legal challenge by the state school boards association prevented a 65% initiative from being placed on the 2006 ballot in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ultimately ruled in June 2007 that the initiative's petitions are invalid.

Oregon

The petition drive to qualify the issue as a ballot measure was shut down by its backers.

Utah

Proposal rejected by the legislature.

Tennessee

Proposal rejected by the legislature.

Utah

Proposal rejected by the legislature.

Virginia

Proposal rejected by the legislature.

Washington

Petition drive to qualify proposal for statewide ballot shut down due to insufficient funding.

Wisconsin

Proposal rejected by the legislature.

 

Where 65% Plans Were Enacted

Georgia

Georgia is the only state where the 65% requirement has been enacted into law.

Where Modified 65% Plans Are Being Implemented

Kansas

In legislation passed in 2005 to add $148 million to public schools -- part of the Legislature's court-ordered 10 percent boost to education funding -- lawmakers included a provision that would establish a statewide goal for school districts to spend 65 percent of their money on classroom expenses. First Class Education called the Kansas provision "weak" because it lacked strict enforcement provisions. "Unless school districts have got to do something, they won't do it," said Tim Mooney, spokesman for First Class Education.

Texas

Responding to a gubernatorial executive order, the Commissioner of Education developed and issued a two-part "rule," one part of which includes librarians, nurses, and counselors. The requirements are 2 of 27 indicators in the state's financial accountability system. While the final version is an improvement over the original, the Texas State Teachers Association continues to object to the concept as "bad public policy."