Republicans Praise Education Reform Passage.
Air Date:03/02/2012
State lawmakers are about the finish up the main part of the 2012 legislative session in Pierre.
Republican lawmakers say it's been a successful session with some major bills passed including House Bill 1234.
The Republicans say the bill puts 15-million dollars in the hands of local districts to spend on teachers as they see fit. It also allows local districts to phase out continuing contracts for teachers and provides for a system of teacher evaluation.
Republican Representative David Lust is the Majority Leader in the House.
"Overall I think we've accomplished some significant things for the state and I'm looking forward to seeing how some of these things play out in the future and I can't emphasize enough how this probably be considered the education session given the significance of 1234 and the amount of money being put back in," says Lust
Republicans say the bill was heavily amended to address opponents concerns.
On the other side of the isle Democrats are critical of the education reform package passed this year. They also say that the millions of dollars given to big businesses, like the company Manpower, could be spent better elsewhere.
Democratic leaders criticize the Republican Party for bowing to special interests and the will of the governor.
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