Gov. decries effort that negatively targets Texas schoolchildren
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas It is appalling to think other elected officials in Congress especially Texas Democratic Congressional delegation would forsake the interests of Texas school children for partisan politics. I urge the House to make sure this measure does not ultimately pass" said Texas Gov. Rick Perry regarding the U.S. Senate vote to pass H.R. 1586 legislation that includes amended language singling out Texas and reprehensively punishing Texas schools.
Washington is deft at placing targets on the backs of Texans and this (Lloyd Doggett Education) proposal paints a target on our school teachers & school children" Perry said.
The amendment mandates that the governor guarantee the Legislature will provide a certain level of state funding through 2013 a funding scheme prohibited by the Texas Constitution.
It will be at least June 1 2011 before the Legislature passes and the Comptroller certifies the 2012-2013 budget.
That means Texas the only state singled out with this mandate might not be able to use any of these funds provided to states.
I applaud Sen. Hutchison and Sen. Cornyn for opposing this effort. If this measure were to pass into law Washington would be taking yet another step toward usurping the states authority by determining how to fund our schools and whats worse no other state is subject to this provision" said Perry.
Following similar efforts by House Democrats last month that had been rejected at various stages previously in somewhat of a suprise the U.S. Senate added language to the FAA Air Transportation Modernization & Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 1586) late last week that effectively kills about $800 million in federal funding for Texas schools.
