The Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee advanced a child care employer incentive bill and a school library specialist requirement while tabling multiple education funding and workforce bills on fiscal grounds; the only contested vote of the session was a 4-to-2 passage of a gun violence prevention program in Roanoke City and Petersburg schools.
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Delegate Downey argued the stipend program is justified by over 10% vacancy rates among school psychologists and the growing mental health burden on schools, while Leader Herring countered that passing stipends for school psychologists could open the door for other credentialed professions to seek similar treatment from the general fund, stating: 'I have concern about other credentials professions seeking the same thing and this coming from the general fund.'
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“This same policy passed out of the General assembly with bipartisan support and the budget last year with 25 million in funding, but was ultimately line item vetoed by the previous governor. So I'm bringing this back before the General assembly with the hopes of restoring this critical funding for businesses and families across Virginia.”
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Sign in to subscribeAs the quorum is present, the elementary and secondary education subcommittee will come to order. Madam Clerk, please open the roll for attendance. The clerk will close the roll. First up, we have House Bill 18 presented by Delegate McClure. Yes, Madam Chair, members of the subcommittee. HB 18 would establish an employee child care assistance program to provide the framework and opportunity for Virginia to build its own model to incentivize employers to contribute to the child care cost of their employees. House Bill 18 would create a practical shared responsibility approach to to childcare affordability by creating a public private partnership to nurture and contribute to the success of Virginia's early learners. This same policy passed out of the General assembly with bipartisan support and the budget last year with 25 million in funding, but was ultimately line item vetoed by the previous governor. So I'm bringing this back before the General assembly with the hopes of restoring this critical funding for businesses and families across Virginia. Madam Chair, members of the subcommittee, it is my hope that you would pass HB18. Thank you, delegate. Is there anyone in the room who wishes to speak in support of…
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