Bill would delay school aid certification date

Lawmakers gave first-round approval Feb. 7 to a bill that would move the certification deadline for state aid to schools for the 2013-14 school year.

LB408, introduced by Cedar Rapids Sen. Kate Sullivan, would move the certification deadline for state aid and budget authority under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA) from March 1 to June 1 for the 2013-14 school fiscal year. The certification date would revert back to March 1 for the 2014-15 school year.

Sullivan said the change would allow the Legislature time to consider all the factors relevant to the TEEOSA formula.

“We need time to look at the proposals, to deliberate on them and discuss them,” she said, “and we don’t need to have the additional pressure of making those decisions too early in the process.”

LB408 advanced to select file 35-0.