Education Deal Struck.  It went an extra day, but the final education conference committee deal for E-12 has been agreed to by leadership.  The last time the conference committee met during the regular session was at 4:30 on Monday, but with floor responsibilities for the members and the difficulties associated with dividing up the remaining revenue in the budget target, there was simply too much ground to cover in a short period of time to finish on time.  Here is the final agreement:

• 2% on the formula in each year.
• $3.4 million for Tribal Contract School Funding.  Funding is permanent.
• $46 million to preserve the existing voluntary pre-K seats.
• $90 million to freeze the special education cross-subsidy.
• $30 million in school safety grants contingent on positive balance at the end of the current fiscal year.
• $1.5 million for each body for grants contained in their bills.
• No additional policy other than the same/similar provisions already adopted in the conference committee.

There will undoubtedly be more details on the individual grants and I will provide them when they become available.