Subcommittee rejects restoring dedicated formula funding for CTE student leadership groups

Representative Tiara Auxier moved on Feb. 10 to direct staff to draft statutory language restoring formula funding for CTE student leadership organizations, specifying an amount not to exceed 1% of the total appropriation and distribution based on agency share of state membership. Supporters said the change restores a visible, dedicated line for groups such as FFA, FBLA, HOSA and DECA and improves student experiences in applied competitions.

Representative Auxier said members had heard from student organizations that the prior move into a CTE line diminished prioritization for student leadership activities. "We've heard loud and clear from our student organizations ... that funding that we had moved into CTE hasn't been prioritized the way we thought it was going to," she said.

Senator Lincoln Fillmore and others opposed the motion, noting it would undo a specific committee decision made last year and the compromises reached in negotiations. Fillmore said he would ‘‘stand by the decision that the committee made previously’’ and encouraged others to do the same. Vice Chair Matt McPherson asked whether carving out the funding would make it required rather than discretionary for local education agencies; Auxier said it would not legally require LEAs to spend the money in a particular way but would make dedicated funding visible and accessible.

After discussion and a roll-call style vote, the motion failed; the committee recording showed more 'no' votes in the senate delegation and the chair stated the overall motion failed.

The subcommittee did not adopt the statutory language restoring a separate CTE student leadership line; the funding remains allocated under broader CTE accounts pending any future statutory change.