January 8, 2008  

Governor's State of the State Address

Governor Schwarzenegger presented his State of the State address that was long on rhetoric and short on detail.  The rhetoric was upbeat for Public/Private Partnerships to develop expanded infrastructure and digital technology investments.  He also spoke about enhancing education reform for those districts identified as failing under the provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.  He acknowledged a tight fiscal year of no new revenues and the need for substantive budget and revenue reforms.

The common phrase “the devil is in the details” is the most appropriate way to consider the Governor’s speech.  For the education community, basing any education reform on a flawed and failed system such as NCLB is not reform.  The devil may be a very large devil when we confront the details of the Governor’s proposals.

The Governor will release his proposed State Budget and the reform details on January 10, 2008. 

Please contact me if you have any questions at 916.441.3300 or dwalrath@m-w-h.com.

~Dave Walrath