Panel considers switching universal after‑school admin funding from $500,000 fixed amount to 5% of forecasted revenues

The Joint Fiscal Committee examined proposed statutory language (E500.3) allowing the Agency of Education to use up to 5% of annually forecasted revenues for administration of the universal after‑school and summer special fund in place of the existing $500,000 set‑aside.

Staff explained the amendment would change a fixed dollar administrative appropriation into a percent‑of‑forecast mechanism. Committee members asked whether 5% of forecasted revenues would be higher or lower than $500,000 given the current forecast and whether the statute should reference forecasted revenues or appropriations. Staff noted the FY25 ending fund balance for the program and offered to follow up with precise forecast figures.

"If we can just deal with the total," one member said, asking for clarity about whether forecasted revenues and appropriations should be treated differently for administrative draws. Staff agreed to get numbers from JFO and the Treasurer (Ted Barnett was mentioned as a contact) and to provide a follow‑up estimate for FY27 forecasted revenues and administrative amounts.

The committee left that language open pending JFO analysis of forecasted revenues, the historical use of administrative set‑asides and whether shifting to a percentage would change available program dollars.