Full funding of K-12 fails on party-line vote in Oregon Senate

Oregon Senate Republicans

Salem, Ore. – Yesterday, Senate Democrats killed a bill on the Senate floor that would have mandated a minimum of 28% of state funds go toward K-12 education and public safety. In contrast, Washington State allocated 46% of their state budget for education and public safety. In the 2015-2017 biennium, Oregon spent less than 25% of the state budget on schools.

“We need to stop the irreversible damage Democrats have done to education in Oregon and require that a minimum 28% of our total budget is spent on the top priorities for Oregonians: education and public safety,” explained Senator Chuck Thomsen (R-Hood River). “By doing this, we can meet the quality education model, reduce class sizes, add school days, hire new teachers and keep our communities safe.”

The motion to pull SJR 204 to the Senate floor for a vote failed on party lines. All 18 Senate Democrats voted against considering the measure to ensure full funding for K-12 education in coming years.

Shortly after the motion failed, Senate Democrats voted in a controversial minimum wage mandate that will cost Oregon school districts the equivalent of 361 teachers over the next three biennia.