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State lawmakers are debating and on the verge of passing the first budget in more than 30 years that shifts the majority of school funding from the state to local property taxes. Schools are likely to face layoffs, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us the state’s already poor ranking is likely to slip.

Gone in the budget: 140 dollars for every student in the state. A billion dollars. Also cut, money for school buses at a time when the cost of diesel fuel is increasing.

It is the first budget in recent memory to cut school funding from the previous year.

“We’re one of the wealthiest states in the nation, we shouldn’t be number 49 when it comes to funding public education,” Rep. Martin Kiar said. “If we pass this budget, we’ll be number 50.”

There is another historic shift in the budget.

For the first time in more than 3 decades, local school boards will provide more funding for schools than the state

It may violate the constitution.

“The constitution of the state of Florida, says it is the paramount duty of the state to fund public schools in the state,” Wayne Blanton with the Fl. School Boards Association. “Yes, I think it violates the constitution.”

Teachers call the cuts irresponsible.

“The politicians here are more interested being able to say they didn’t raise taxes than closing schools,” Andy Ford with the Florida Education Association.

We asked Charlie Crist about the funding shift to local governments. He says it is all the peoples money.

“The right way to go about funding education is through the people of Florida,” Crist said.

The dire funding is almost certain to produce lay offs. The question is whether the job losses will come from the classroom.

A final vote on the budget is expected tomorrow.