Sen. Shapiro Takes on U.S. House Over Wacky Education Power Grab

By Jim Cardle Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas There is justified outrage sweeping across Texas over an unprecedented Washington D.C. Power Grab that could put the federal government in significant control of how Texans educate Texas school children. Ironically the move was done at the initiative of a couple of Texas own Democratic Congressman. But if Texas State Senator and Chair of the powerful Texas Senate Education Committee Florence Shapiro has any say in the matter the Congressmen had better watch out.   As it is the way the legislation came about is strange enough. Major Texas print media even said although coverage of the issue has been scant wacky would be a better word." Or maybe Texas Democrats in the U.S. House that advocated the idea knew what they were doing as the House passed a much-needed War Funding Bill that included provisions requiring Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry to jump through hoops (required of no other state) in order to access $10 billion in education funds tacked onto the bill. Said the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram of the Congressmen & their effort

The best explanation for their behavior may be that they sought to embarrass Perry because this year he refused to apply for a share of $4.35 billion in federal economic stimulus money dedicated to President Barack Obamas Race to the Top education reform program. But their ham-handed effort can only embarrass themselves."

Before lauding Senator Shapiros clearly direct letter (below) addressed to Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Austin first some background on the Disaster Relief & Summer Jobs Act of 2010". House Resolution 4899 the Disaster Relief & Summer Jobs Act of 2010" started out in March with a $6 billion price-tag. It was passed by the House but in the Senate it morphed into a $45.5 billion Supplemental Appropriations Bill" that included $37.12 billion to fund ongoing efforts for troops in Iraq & Afghanistan. When the bill then returned to the House for consideration Democratic leaders attached $10 billion aimed at saving teachers jobs as state budget problems have begun to arise nationwide. The House added funding for:

• Pell Grants to college students
• Border Security
• Innovative-Technology Energy Loans"
• Schools on Military Installations
• Gulf Coast Oil Spill Cleanup
• Emergency Food Assistance and
• A new Soldier Processing Center at Fort Hood

The bill became what in Washington D.C. at least is commonly referred to as a Christmas Tree" something fairly basic that suddenly becomes decorated with all kinds of goodies or ornaments to entice (read force save the embarrassment of voting against something an opponent could say benefited their district back home) Congressmen who would normally not vote for each item individually to in fact vote for the whole enchilada. The idea is to give states grants to pass on to public school districts so they might  retain recall or rehire teachers or even add teaching jobs.  But for every state except Texas if the governor doesnt take the bait and apply for Federal Funding called grants" Education Secretary Arne Duncan is allowed to step in and directly give" grants to local schools. To many such as Houston Congressman John Culberson this seems to be usurping the individual States Rights. In Texas if Perry turned over a new leaf and applied for the federal money hed have to assure Secretary Duncan that Texas would somehow find the funding to maintain those levels of support into the future not just for 2011 but for 2012 and 2013 as well. And if Gov. Perry should decide not to apply Duncan is given authority to give grants to Texas schools but only if Perry gave assurances Texas wouldnt decrease funding for education in the future. All of the $10 billion is supposed to be handed out within 45 days after the bill becomes law.  And to echo Gov. Perrys campaign rhetoric or point who is left to pay the bill after the federal money is gone? Since its no secret that the most significant part of Gov. Perrys re-election campaign has been to depict Washington as an out-of-control power-hungry monster in the process the U.S. House has tossed the Governor a softball hed likely hit over the centerfield fence ... if he swung. Due to the fact that such political pay-back is done at significant impact to Texas school children not much has been said by the Governors Office to date. At least someone in the game knows how to act like an adult. Also in fairness to Perry theres still a chance the wacky" provision will be deleted during Senate debate prior to Congress August Recess next week hence mention of State Senator Florence Shapiros letter below.

To many this may all appear to be simply nothing more than the typical behavior coming out of the nations capital of late. To the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram The best explanation for their behavior may be that they sought to embarrass Perry ... But their ham-handed effort can only embarrass themselves." Too others like Perry & Shapiro teachers are more than worth their weight in gold and if the federal government sincerely wants to help fund their jobs permanently ... well just do it without strings attached thank you very much. Virtually any Texan if asked would say its not the place of Congress or the Department of Education in Washington D.C. to tell Texans how to educate our kids or construct our state budget. Governor Perry cannot would not should not obligate state spending in 2012 and 2013 even if he wanted to. Clearly based upon his recent refusals to take the bait of federally-funded free programs he has no intention of doing so.  Thats the Texas Legislatures job. Someone might remind the couple of Texas Congressmen who initiated & pushed the idea through the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. They themselves began their own political careers in the Texas Legislature.