Massey’s Two Education Bills Signed into Law

SALIDA, Colo. – State Rep. Tom Massey, chair of the House Education Committee, had two bills that eased the financial pressure on Colorado’s schools signed into law today.

“While Colorado has hit some tough economic times, the Legislature did all that it could to soften the budget and operational hits to K-12 education,” said Massey, R-Poncha Springs.

Senate Bill 230, the School Finance Act, funds K-12 education in the state. The bill further reduces cuts called for by Gov. Hickenlooper to K-12 education by approximately $22.5 million. The bill also stipulates that up to $67.5 million in additional revenue may be directed to Colorado’s Public School Fund to address funding needs later next year, if the revenue becomes available.

House Bill 1277 addresses several areas of statute governing K-12 education. The measure streamlines approval and operation policies including to allow school districts with fewer than a thousand students to submit a single performance plan, instead of separate plans for each school and for the district. The state will also now quantify costs to local districts on proposed legislation measures.

Both SB 230 and HB 1277 were signed into law at the Salida Middle School in Salida, Colo.

“This reduction in budget cuts and increase in efficiency for our school districts reflects the Legislature’s continued dedication to K-12 administrators, teachers and, most importantly, our students,” said Massey.

Each of these bills passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. SB 230 went into effect upon receiving the governor’s signature and HB 1277 goes into effect on August 10, 2011.

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