How Are Other States Funding Education?

SIOUX FALLS, SD - After South Dakota lawmakers voted for no education increase, we wondered how other states in the region are funding schools during a tough economic time.  As it turns out, not all states are struggling.

By law, education in South Dakota is supposed to get an annual three-percent increase, but legislators approved a zero-percent increase for next year.

Nebraska is in a similar situation. Lawmakers held a special session in November and voted to freeze funding, but the way the formula works, education actually gained a $16 million surplus. So Nebraska is looking at an increase in education funding, but it equals a little more than one-and-a-half percent of the total budget.

Iowa's governor is pushing for a two-percent increase to education, after deep cuts last year. Lawmakers are still in session, and Governor Culver is asking for a $350 million boost to education.

Minnesota lawmakers are also still at work. The governor has proposed no cuts in K-12 education, but significant decreases to higher education.

North Dakota set a record for education funding increases last year. Lawmakers there meet every two years, and education advocates say the state's on track to end up with a surplus going into 2011.

South Dakota lawmakers will reconvene in Pierre in less than two weeks, after they learn if federal money will be available to plug into the budget.