Special Session Wrap Up
NSEA Perspective...

The 24th Special Session of the Nevada Legislature ended late in the night Friday, June 27. The legislators ended up voting for a package that will cut more than $250 million from the state budget for the remainder of the biennium.  Education was a target for one of these cuts as the Senate and Assembly voted to cut $47 million in textbook and classroom instruction material.  Most legislators hesitantly voted for the package and the NSEA Lobby Team worked aggressively to prevent more cuts that may have decreased teacher salaries or other benefits.

Leading up to the week of the special session the NSEA Lobby Team worked hard behind the scenes ensuring that the cost of living adjustment or COLAs were going to stay in place for the 2008-2009 school year.  With gas prices at a record high and as the cost of food and other groceries continue to rise, it was imperative the legislature not cut the salaries of Nevada teachers and support professionals. 

While it was obvious the vote to cut money for classroom materials pained many legislators, there was some hope due to the caveat of a tax trigger which may, in the end, return the money back into the budget.  For as passed, if the Nevada economy begins to improve, the money that was removed form the Distributive School Account (DSA) for textbooks will be returned. 

The 24th Special Session has set the stage for more cuts in the next Legislative Session coming in February, 2009.  Your NSEA Lobby Team is already working hard to ensure the 2010-2011 Legislature will not decrease education funding throughout the state of Nevada. 

Thanks to all our members who participated and reached out to the legislators during the critical time leading to the session. Together we made a difference and kept our COLAs intact.