Beware of Misleading Budget Information in Tough Financial Times

“These are difficult financial times. We all have to make sacrifices – even teachers and students and schools.”

This sort of argument is used repeatedly on those of us who are dedicated to advocating for educational and social justice, particularly when children are involved.

The argument that we all must tighten our fiscal belts is a difficult one to dispute, particularly when budget shortfalls in some states are so dramatic.

But when we are tempted to remain silent or to back down in cases where we know kids are being harmed, we need to be reminded that much of this debate comes down to political choices.

Because the truth is, as the National Education Association, has repeatedly pointed out, a great deal of hypocrisy exists within our state budgets.

While on one hand lawmakers are bemoaning the financial crisis and insisting that nothing can be done to keep class sizes the same, to save schools or to continue programs for low-income families, those same lawmakers are often quite generous with money when their own pet programs or causes are at stake.

A few examples to be aware of as we continue working to call attention to the needs of low-income children and families:

• In Florida, Governor Scott has proposed a 10 percent cut to K-12 education spending. Cuts are so deep that schools are considering cutting football and other athletics programs. But at the same time, the governor has proposed cutting the corporate income tax from 5.5 percent to 3 percent and moving to fully eliminate it by 2018. How can we afford such tax cuts, when we cannot afford to adequately fund our schools?
• Michigan Governor Snyder is proposing the elimination of the state major business tax. He also is proposing an additional $1.8 billion in business tax cuts. Yet, Snyder recently signed a law slashing unemployment benefits from 26 to 20 weeks and he also is proposing a cut of $470 per pupil on K-12 education spending and a 15 percent cut in state support for public universities.
• In Ohio, Governor Kasich is proposing a 10 percent cut in education spending and a 10 percent cut to higher education. Kasich has said the cuts are unavoidable. But at the same time, Kasich refused to close 128 business tax exemptions, credits and deductions that create about $7 billion in lost tax revenue. Kasich also is implementing the final stage of an income tax break that will cost Ohio $800 million in revenue.

Are all tax breaks for businesses and individuals bad? Of course not. But isn’t it interesting how politicians can often find ways to give tax breaks, even when they cannot seem to find the money to adequately fund our public schools?

These are, indeed, difficult financial times. But we also need to realize that in many cases, politicians are using these challenging times to cut where they don’t mind cutting, while still finding a way to pay for initiatives that stand to benefit them politically.