Paul Coverdell: “School construction and renovation is traditionally the responsibility of local and State governments. It traditionally…”

“School construction and renovation is traditionally the responsibility of local and State governments. It traditionally has been and it still is. The Robb amendment, in effect, has the effect of raising taxes by $4.2 billion over 5 years to have the Federal Government take over part of this responsibility. Even under the President's proposal, which would cost even more, we would only be able to cover about one-fourth of the total cost of improving schools, according to the General Accounting Office. As we have said repeatedly over the last couple of days, this budget resolution includes more money for education than the President--$600 million more in 2001 and $2.2 billion more over 5 years. We have made plenty of room for different options on education policy in this budget resolution. All of these issues will be discussed and debated in the ESEA reauthorization coming up in May. The spending increase in this amendment is unnecessary. In addition, if the Federal Government is going to become a major and direct party in the issue of school construction, along with it will come the same kind of intervention that the last two Congresses have been endeavoring to undo.”