SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20

(By Senators Jackson, Plymale, Bailey, Boley, Bowman, Caldwell,

Edgell, Helmick, Hunter, Minear, Mitchell, Oliverio, Redd and Unger)

[Originating in the Committee on Education; reported March 20, 2001.]


Urging the United States Congress and President George W. Bush increase funding for disabled students from the 12 percent average per pupil expenditure currently allotted to the 40 percent level authorized in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Whereas, The Legislature recognizes the importance of educating all West Virginians to the fullest extent permitted given dedicated education expenditures and federal and state law; and
Whereas, The United States Congress and, subsequently, the President authorized, in the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the federal government to pay a modest portion, 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure, of the funding requisite to adequately meet the needs of students requiring special education; and
Whereas, According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, West Virginia received $36,625,000 from the congressional budget in the past fiscal year appropriated through the above-mentioned statute, which is a fraction of the estimated $128,610,000 our state would receive if provided the 40 percent level authorized in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and
Whereas, A greater percentage of funds could be used to support the educational opportunities of all West Virginia residents; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature urges the United States Congress and President George W. Bush to increase funding from 12 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for disabled students to the amount specified in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which is 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the Secretary of the United States Senate, President George W. Bush and the members of West Virginia's congressional delegation.