Posted: Jan 13, 2015 9:41 AM EST
Updated: Jan 13, 2015 4:14 PM EST
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) – The head of Vermont’s statewide teachers’ union says efforts to trim school costs may have been set back by Gov. Peter Shumlin’s decision to shelve his push for a universal, publicly-financed health care system.
Joel Cook of the National Education Association made the comment to the House Education Committee on Tuesday, adding later that the NEA had a plan to save between $35 million and $100 million in statewide property tax funds, but it depended on a publicly financed health care system.
Shumlin announced last month he was shelving plans to ask the Legislature to approve a financing plan for the health care system, which some call single-payer.
House Education Committee Chairman David Sharpe says he agrees that health insurance adds significantly to school costs.