Joanna LeFebvre
@joannalefebvre.bsky.social
State fiscal policy nerd @centeronbudget.bsky.social, former teacher, Duke Sanford and @washu.edu alum
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
This past Friday, the Trump Administration made a choice to cut support for vital services people depend on like education funding for children with special needs, financial services in underserved communities, and public health readiness.
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October 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
This past Friday, the Trump Administration made a choice to cut support for vital services people depend on like education funding for children with special needs, financial services in underserved communities, and public health readiness.
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Must read thread on new study showing school vouchers are spurring enrollment in small Christian private schools--the same schools that research suggests produce some of the poorest academic outcomes for students:
For those interested in the growth of ESA vouchers and the new federal push for vouchers by Trump and Congressional Republicans, please read this thread about the important new voucher study & the NYT article about that study. reachcentered.org/publications...
The Effects of Universal School Vouchers on Private School Tuition and Enrollment: A National Analysis | REACH
The mission of REACH is to provide objective, rigorous, and applicable research that informs and improves school choice policy design and implementation to increase opportunities and outcomes for disa...
reachcentered.org
September 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Must read thread on new study showing school vouchers are spurring enrollment in small Christian private schools--the same schools that research suggests produce some of the poorest academic outcomes for students:
Once again, Florida shows what’s waiting for other states that careen toward universal school vouchers: public schools that can’t pay teachers, school closures that dislocate communities, & budget woes from trying to fund two separate education systems. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
September 11, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Once again, Florida shows what’s waiting for other states that careen toward universal school vouchers: public schools that can’t pay teachers, school closures that dislocate communities, & budget woes from trying to fund two separate education systems. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Delaware is protecting critical funding for services like public schools while more equitably distributing property tax responsibility among homeowners & businesses. Here’s what other states can learn from DE’s thoughtful approach to #PropertyTax reform from last month's special session. 🧵
September 9, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Delaware is protecting critical funding for services like public schools while more equitably distributing property tax responsibility among homeowners & businesses. Here’s what other states can learn from DE’s thoughtful approach to #PropertyTax reform from last month's special session. 🧵
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
Kentucky’s Woodford County Public Schools, which serves middle-income families in rural communities outside of Lexington, may need a short-term payroll loan — a red flag for broader school finance instability in the state. More from @joannalefebvre.bsky.social: www.cbpp.org/research/sta...
Tracking the Fallout From State Tax Cuts | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
States have gone on a tax-cutting spree in recent years. More than half have slashed income taxes for wealthy people and corporations, in some cases by extraordinary amounts. Communities are starting ...
www.cbpp.org
August 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Kentucky’s Woodford County Public Schools, which serves middle-income families in rural communities outside of Lexington, may need a short-term payroll loan — a red flag for broader school finance instability in the state. More from @joannalefebvre.bsky.social: www.cbpp.org/research/sta...
Wyoming Passes 25% Property Tax Cut for Homeowners — Without Replacing Lost Revenue for Local Services: "As a result, local officials are having to cut their budgets by up to 23 percent, and the state is now facing a $686 million school funding deficit by 2030." www.cbpp.org/research/sta...
Tracking the Fallout From State Tax Cuts | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
States have gone on a tax-cutting spree in recent years. More than half have slashed income taxes for wealthy people and corporations, in some cases by extraordinary amounts. Communities are starting ...
www.cbpp.org
July 30, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Wyoming Passes 25% Property Tax Cut for Homeowners — Without Replacing Lost Revenue for Local Services: "As a result, local officials are having to cut their budgets by up to 23 percent, and the state is now facing a $686 million school funding deficit by 2030." www.cbpp.org/research/sta...
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
States are increasingly calling for special sessions this year, and it’s not just routine business. From addressing the impact of federal policy, to state tax debates, to shoring up disaster aid and political power plays, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of legislative overtime.🧵
July 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
States are increasingly calling for special sessions this year, and it’s not just routine business. From addressing the impact of federal policy, to state tax debates, to shoring up disaster aid and political power plays, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of legislative overtime.🧵
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
🚨 BREAKING: A shocking $440M in unused ESA voucher funds are sitting in bank accounts — while AZ's public schools are left under-resourced and struggling.
This hoarding of taxpayer dollars by mostly wealthy families hurts public school students who go without needed supports 😠
This hoarding of taxpayer dollars by mostly wealthy families hurts public school students who go without needed supports 😠
July 10, 2025 at 1:08 AM
🚨 BREAKING: A shocking $440M in unused ESA voucher funds are sitting in bank accounts — while AZ's public schools are left under-resourced and struggling.
This hoarding of taxpayer dollars by mostly wealthy families hurts public school students who go without needed supports 😠
This hoarding of taxpayer dollars by mostly wealthy families hurts public school students who go without needed supports 😠
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
Yesterday, I shared my @educationwork.newamerica.org team's district impact analysis of the $6+ billion that the Trump admin is refusing to disburse to schools (link in 2nd post). Now, @edweek.org has published our funding figures for ALL districts in the US for which we have data. Search for yours↓
See How Much Federal Money Trump Is Holding Back From Your District
Hundreds of districts will lose more than $1 million each, according to a new analysis.
www.edweek.org
July 9, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Yesterday, I shared my @educationwork.newamerica.org team's district impact analysis of the $6+ billion that the Trump admin is refusing to disburse to schools (link in 2nd post). Now, @edweek.org has published our funding figures for ALL districts in the US for which we have data. Search for yours↓
"Eight states—AL, AZ, FL, GA, ID, IN, NE and NC—saw their real per-pupil education expenditures decline even while their per capita GDP went up. These eight states had the capacity to expand educational opportunities for their state’s children but have gone in the opposite direction instead."
As states get richer, they should spend more money on education & public schools, right?
Unfortunately, most states aren't doing this. Southern states, in particular, are neglecting their students.
More info in @hilwething.bsky.social & @dskamper.bsky.social's new blog: www.epi.org/blog/state-e...
Unfortunately, most states aren't doing this. Southern states, in particular, are neglecting their students.
More info in @hilwething.bsky.social & @dskamper.bsky.social's new blog: www.epi.org/blog/state-e...
State education funding falls short in too many states, even as they prosper: Southern states, in particular, are neglecting students
State spending on public education declined markedly in the dozen years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decline in funding was a response to the Great Recession since many state governments prior...
www.epi.org
July 7, 2025 at 2:46 PM
"Eight states—AL, AZ, FL, GA, ID, IN, NE and NC—saw their real per-pupil education expenditures decline even while their per capita GDP went up. These eight states had the capacity to expand educational opportunities for their state’s children but have gone in the opposite direction instead."
New analysis from @itep.org: if only 25% of eligible tax filers were to claim the school voucher tax credit in the Senate's reconciliation bill, federal revenue would be reduced by over $25 billion per year - far more than previous versions. itep.org/trump-megabi...
Senate Megabill Takes Cap Off Unprecedented Private School Voucher Tax Credit, Potentially Raising Cost by Tens of Billions Relative to House Version
The tax and spending legislation approved by the U.S. Senate would create an unprecedented, dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit designed to support private school vouchers. This tax credit has the po...
itep.org
July 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
New analysis from @itep.org: if only 25% of eligible tax filers were to claim the school voucher tax credit in the Senate's reconciliation bill, federal revenue would be reduced by over $25 billion per year - far more than previous versions. itep.org/trump-megabi...
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
Make no mistake-- today’s Supreme Court ruling does not end constitutionally guaranteed birthright citizenship. However, the SCOTUS has ruled against the injunctions that have been blocking The Trump Administration’s birthright citizenship EO from being implemented nationwide.
June 27, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Make no mistake-- today’s Supreme Court ruling does not end constitutionally guaranteed birthright citizenship. However, the SCOTUS has ruled against the injunctions that have been blocking The Trump Administration’s birthright citizenship EO from being implemented nationwide.
The national school voucher proposal in the Senate GOP reconciliation plan would threaten students’ access to quality public schools, give tax breaks to the wealthy, & override states that have rejected these harmful policies. Lawmakers who care about our kids’ futures should reject it.
June 26, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The national school voucher proposal in the Senate GOP reconciliation plan would threaten students’ access to quality public schools, give tax breaks to the wealthy, & override states that have rejected these harmful policies. Lawmakers who care about our kids’ futures should reject it.
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
Public education would be at especially high risk, given that it makes up the largest share of state budgets. For context: just the potential cost of the proposed 5% minimum SNAP match is the equivalent of average salary costs for about 65K public school teachers nationwide.
June 3, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Public education would be at especially high risk, given that it makes up the largest share of state budgets. For context: just the potential cost of the proposed 5% minimum SNAP match is the equivalent of average salary costs for about 65K public school teachers nationwide.
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
NEW REPORT: House Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill, now in the Senate, would shift major new costs to the state- & local-level, paving the way for harmful cuts to food assistance, health care, & other services like education. Here’s the 3 top things to know:🧵
June 3, 2025 at 7:19 PM
NEW REPORT: House Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill, now in the Senate, would shift major new costs to the state- & local-level, paving the way for harmful cuts to food assistance, health care, & other services like education. Here’s the 3 top things to know:🧵
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
Rather than course correct, Senate Republican leaders are rushing to advance a bill that is in some ways even more destructive and harmful than the unpopular House Republican bill. The Senate must reject it.
June 17, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Rather than course correct, Senate Republican leaders are rushing to advance a bill that is in some ways even more destructive and harmful than the unpopular House Republican bill. The Senate must reject it.
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
House Republicans’ new budget bills promise widespread harm to people & communities in every state across the U.S. One way they seek to hide these harmful impacts is by slashing federal funding & then passing the buck to state & local gov’ts to make the toughest choices & cuts.🧵
May 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
House Republicans’ new budget bills promise widespread harm to people & communities in every state across the U.S. One way they seek to hide these harmful impacts is by slashing federal funding & then passing the buck to state & local gov’ts to make the toughest choices & cuts.🧵
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
CBPP's Samantha Jacoby posted on X explaining how the House Republican tax bill's new federal tax credit to subsidize private school vouchers works: x.com/jacsamoby/st...
May 13, 2025 at 1:41 AM
CBPP's Samantha Jacoby posted on X explaining how the House Republican tax bill's new federal tax credit to subsidize private school vouchers works: x.com/jacsamoby/st...
#ESSER mitigated pandemic learning loss. The most vulnerable students are still recovering, but now Dept. of Ed is clawing back billions already obligated to investments like tutoring and healthy learning environments, jeopardizing ongoing academic recovery. www.the74million.org/article/clos...
Close to $3 Billion in Relief Funds in Jeopardy as Ed Dept. Halts Payments
Officials labeled even extensions agreed upon during Trump’s tenure ‘unreasonable’ and cited what it called examples of ‘misuse.’
www.the74million.org
April 1, 2025 at 9:54 PM
#ESSER mitigated pandemic learning loss. The most vulnerable students are still recovering, but now Dept. of Ed is clawing back billions already obligated to investments like tutoring and healthy learning environments, jeopardizing ongoing academic recovery. www.the74million.org/article/clos...
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
Why we need the US Dept. Of Education.
March 21, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Why we need the US Dept. Of Education.
UPDATE: Trump just signed an executive order calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. This will harm our most vulnerable students and exacerbate existing disparities in educational outcomes.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/whi...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/whi...
March 20, 2025 at 9:15 PM
UPDATE: Trump just signed an executive order calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. This will harm our most vulnerable students and exacerbate existing disparities in educational outcomes.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/whi...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/whi...
Must read thread on impact of gutting Dept. of Ed's Office of Civil Rights on students with disabilities:
The Admin targeted the Dept of Ed’s Ofc of Civil Rights for large layoffs. The ofc enforces laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality & disability status. As a parent & wonk I know the importance of its work for disabled students. 🧵
March 18, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Must read thread on impact of gutting Dept. of Ed's Office of Civil Rights on students with disabilities:
New from @itep.org: some in Congress want to give tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations to subsidize tuition for students who already attend private school. I can think of some less ~wasteful~ ways to spend those public dollars...
March 18, 2025 at 6:07 PM
New from @itep.org: some in Congress want to give tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations to subsidize tuition for students who already attend private school. I can think of some less ~wasteful~ ways to spend those public dollars...
1/10 The Admin has advanced its goal of dismantling the Dept. of Ed by firing nearly half its staff. Combined with other education EOs, it’s clear we’re witnessing an attempt to gut public schools & steal opportunities from the average American student. 🧵 www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/u...
Education Department Fires 1,300 Workers, Gutting Its Staff
The layoffs mean that the department will now have a work force of about half the size it did when President Trump took office.
www.nytimes.com
March 12, 2025 at 9:14 PM
1/10 The Admin has advanced its goal of dismantling the Dept. of Ed by firing nearly half its staff. Combined with other education EOs, it’s clear we’re witnessing an attempt to gut public schools & steal opportunities from the average American student. 🧵 www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/u...
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
Trump thinks the biggest issue in K-12 education is "transgender ideology."
He ignores the very real issues that face American children and families, such as:
-Underfunded public schools
-Teacher shortages
-The need for more counselors and mental health supports
-Growing gaps in reading and math
He ignores the very real issues that face American children and families, such as:
-Underfunded public schools
-Teacher shortages
-The need for more counselors and mental health supports
-Growing gaps in reading and math
March 5, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Trump thinks the biggest issue in K-12 education is "transgender ideology."
He ignores the very real issues that face American children and families, such as:
-Underfunded public schools
-Teacher shortages
-The need for more counselors and mental health supports
-Growing gaps in reading and math
He ignores the very real issues that face American children and families, such as:
-Underfunded public schools
-Teacher shortages
-The need for more counselors and mental health supports
-Growing gaps in reading and math