Joanna LeFebvre
@joannalefebvre.bsky.social
State fiscal policy nerd @centeronbudget.bsky.social, former teacher, Duke Sanford and @washu.edu alum
"Breaking up the Department of Education and scattering its shards throughout the federal government isn’t reform. It’s disruption. And rural schools, tribal communities and vulnerable students will be the ones who pay the steepest price."
www.the74million.org/article/frag...
www.the74million.org/article/frag...
Fragmenting the U.S. Department of Education Creates Chaos for Rural Students
Superintendent's view: Multiple lines of authority, blurred accountability and conflicting priorities will interrupt essential funding and services.
www.the74million.org
January 12, 2026 at 6:31 PM
"Breaking up the Department of Education and scattering its shards throughout the federal government isn’t reform. It’s disruption. And rural schools, tribal communities and vulnerable students will be the ones who pay the steepest price."
www.the74million.org/article/frag...
www.the74million.org/article/frag...
"It is no surprise that early indications are that the Trump admin will stop governors who seek to craft programs that best fit the needs of their states & families. [This] would be a clear attempt to decimate public education in favor of private & religious schools." www.k12dive.com/news/protect...
Private school choice threatens public school experiences, says EdTrust CEO
Public funding for students and schools must be protected to preserve equitable learning opportunities, Denise Forte writes.
www.k12dive.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:46 PM
"It is no surprise that early indications are that the Trump admin will stop governors who seek to craft programs that best fit the needs of their states & families. [This] would be a clear attempt to decimate public education in favor of private & religious schools." www.k12dive.com/news/protect...
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
ELC Executive Director @bob-kim.bsky.social: States Should Reject Federal School Voucher Scheme
progressive.org/op-eds/state...
progressive.org/op-eds/state...
States Should Reject Federal School Voucher Scheme
Vouchers hurt public schools and their students.
progressive.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:30 PM
ELC Executive Director @bob-kim.bsky.social: States Should Reject Federal School Voucher Scheme
progressive.org/op-eds/state...
progressive.org/op-eds/state...
Reposted by Joanna LeFebvre
New must-read from @propublica.org. More than half of states slashed income taxes in recent years, especially for the wealthy. Now that bill is coming due, right when harmful federal budget cuts are about to hit states too. Time to reverse course.
NEW: The recent government shutdown, with families skipping meals and babies unfed, could have been a preview of what’s to come when Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill shifts billions in costs for the SNAP program to states that may not be able to afford them.
How State Tax Cuts Could Lead to a SNAP Crisis
President Donald Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shift billions in costs for SNAP and Medicaid to states. But with 26 having cut or eliminated state income taxes just since 2021, they may not have the money to continue the programs.
www.propublica.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:12 PM
New must-read from @propublica.org. More than half of states slashed income taxes in recent years, especially for the wealthy. Now that bill is coming due, right when harmful federal budget cuts are about to hit states too. Time to reverse course.
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...