skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Data show home-ownership disparities in North Dakota; Trump reaped over $100 million through fraud, New York says as trial starts; Volunteer water monitors: citizen scientists.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Donald Trump's civil trial in New York is underway, House Republicans are divided on whether to oust Kevin McCarthy as Speaker, and Latino voter groups are hoping to see mass turnout in the next election.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A small fire department in rural Indiana is determined not to fail new moms and babies, the growing election denial movement has caused voting districts to change procedures and autumn promises spectacular scenery along America's rural byways.

Major Education Hearing, Advocacy Day at MA Capitol

play audio
Play

Thursday, March 21, 2019   

BOSTON – There is a higher education advocacy day on Thursday and a public hearing on Friday at the Joint Committee on Education about 17 education-related bills.

The Fund Our Future campaign – a coalition of education activists, students and parents – supports the PROMISE and CHERISH acts. These bills are asking for $1.5 billion per year in additional education funding for pre K-12 and higher education.

The $1.5 billion amount is based on the recommendations of two state commissions in 2014 and 2015.

Delia Fuentes, a student at Springfield Technical Community College, says higher education in Massachusetts needs more funding so students like her can afford to study, and not have to work so hard to pay for it.

"I'm a full-time student and I have three part-time jobs, and it's ridiculously hard to stay at an A-average,” she states. “I just feel like it shouldn't have to be that hard."

Fuentes is urging state legislators to support the CHERISH act for higher education and the PROMISE act for pre K-12 because students need more funding to have affordable and quality education.

On Friday, both the PROMISE act and Gov. Charlie Baker's education act will be heard, among others. The governor's bill recommends less funding for public education and disbursing the money over seven years.

Zena Link, a long-time public school educator and education activist, says people forget that the state education funding formula – known as the foundation budget – has been around for more than 25 years.

"A formula was put in place years ago and it's never been fully funded,” she states. “And there's a disproportionate number of communities, particularly rural communities, gateway cities and school districts that are primarily students of color, that continue to be grossly underfunded."

Link says another thing the public doesn't understand is how much money teachers in under-resourced schools often spend on their students.

"Most educators will admit that they spend their own financial resources to provide the students what they need: thousands and thousands of dollars," she states.

The public higher education advocacy day starts at 10 a.m. Thursday at the State House. Friday, the Joint Committee on Education is holding a public hearing on bills related to school finance.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Solar development has grown throughout New York City over the last decade. By summer 2022, 350 megawatts were installed, enough to power 90,000 households in New York City. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

A recently signed law expands New York City's solar property tax abatement. This four year tax abatement allows for the construction of solar …


Health and Wellness

play sound

Advocates for mental health in Maine say the stigma of suicide often prevents those most at risk from getting the help they need. The CDC reports …

play sound

Cannabis is an emerging science in which students can make new discoveries and contributions. Wayne State University in Michigan has introduced an …


If FEMA can't carry out its nationwide emergency alert test on the planned date of Wednesday, a backup date of Oct. 11 will be utilized. (Photo courtesy of FEMA)

Environment

play sound

Cell phones around Wisconsin and the rest of the country will be buzzing this Wednesday afternoon for a test of the federal Emergency Alert System and…

Social Issues

play sound

As the U.S. navigates a prolonged housing crisis, a North Dakota organization is highlighting data showing significant homeownership disparities…

Water Quality standards mandated by the federal Clean Water Act are designed to cap the amount of pollution entering West Virginia waters from industrial facilities, wastewater treatment plants, storm sewers, and other sources. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Volunteer water monitoring is gaining popularity in West Virginia, and could help assess the impact on regional water quality of projects like the …

Health and Wellness

play sound

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and one Nevada father is speaking out after his special-needs son endured a traumatic incident…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Data from last year show a growing percentage of Kentucky children and teens report struggling with depression or anxiety, largely driven by social …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021