STATE OF STATE Tomblin Focuses On Education In State Of State
Reported by: Rick Lord
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Reported: Feb. 13, 2013 8:12 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 14, 2013 12:18 AM EST
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Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin wants to allow local control of school calendars, help teachers keep their national certification and boost reading scores among third graders.
Education dominated Tomblin's State of the State address Wednesday. His proposals respond to an audit that found state public schools stifled by bureaucracy.
The governor touched on several school related topics. He says he wants to allow local control of school calendars and stressed the importance of boosting reading scores in the wake of a disappointing audit that suggests state schools are lagging far behind in several key categories.
The governor said West Virginia's financial picture remains stable. But he also outlined a tight budget that relies on less from general tax and lottery revenues than the current spending plan. It includes cuts totaling $75 million.
Tomblin addressed the Legislature in a packed House of Delegates Chamber. His agenda for the session also embraces a recent study of inmate crowding. He said those proposals should save $116 million for corrections and public safety over the next six years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Check out the Raw News section of our website for video of the complete address.
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Rick Lord
