Pre-Labor Day start amended out of education bill

Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, on Friday successfully amended a measure that would have allowed school districts to start before Labor Day out of the omnibus K-12 education finance bill.

The measure would have allowed schools to start before the holiday for the next two years.

The education bill would keep education funding stable through fiscal year 2011, eliminate some mandates and promote the sharing of school services. It uses $275.6 million in federal stabilization funds to offset cuts.

The bill was scheduled to be heard later Friday by the House Taxes Committee.