Budget hearing on public schools today

This morning is the budget hearing on public schools - the single largest piece of the state budget, and the area where controversial, unprecedented cuts are proposed next year. Gov. Butch Otter, in his budget proposal, called for cutting about $75 million, 5.34 percent, but left the specific cuts up to state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna. This morning, Luna will present his recommendations to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. The cramped committee room is full to capacity; the meeting also is being broadcast online here ; click on “one stream” under “JFAC.”