The Legislature did its due diligence and compromised to get an education bill to the governor’s desk in a timely manner. This would enable school districts to prepare their budgets early to keep the lights and heat on, plan for classroom needs, and plan for teachers and support staff. Parents would know what programs would be available to their students in the coming school year.
The governor’s job is to sign the bill, veto the bill or allow SB 140 to become law without his signature. However, he chooses to threaten to veto the bill unless the Legislature, in the next couple of weeks, passes exactly what he wants, whatever that is. He has only said he wants more charter schools with no details and to pay incentive bonuses to teachers. Neither of these have been thoroughly vetted in the legislative process and identified what the costs would be. The governor should specify what elements he wants in a separate charter school bill. There is currently a proposed bill regarding the bonuses to “recruit and retain” teachers, but it reminds me of the failed oil credits that were supposed to — but didn’t — increase oil production.
The Legislature did its job. It’s time for Gov. Mike Dunleavy to do his.
— Laura Bonner
Anchorage
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