Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

The current biennium saw a request for a 13% increase in funding just to maintain a status quo. The Legislature was not able to fully fund education, falling $200 million short. The dramatic increase in education costs are due to two "cost drivers" -- the $24 billion PERS deficit and unsustainable health care costs. The next biennium will begin with an estimated $330 million increase in costs to schools for the PERS deficit. Oregon needs to prioritize education funding not only for the classroom, but also for safety and security in our schools

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