Todd Rokita: “I oppose this amendment because it simply goes back to the status quo of current law, which ties the hands of State…”

“I oppose this amendment because it simply goes back to the status quo of current law, which ties the hands of State officials over budgeting. What schools and States need is less Federal control and greater flexibility, not the opposite. We need to stop thinking that we know what is best for States, and that includes telling them how much to spend on various areas of their budget. I want to be clear that the statutory civil rights provisions in current law are kept. We don't have that issue with this bill. I want to also make the point that just because you spend more money on something doesn't mean you get a better result. Since 1970, Federal education spending has increased 300 percent in this country, while test scores have remained flat. So just increasing funding levels isn't necessarily the answer. The fact of the matter is an MOE directs the States' and individuals' property, i.e., their money, to do things that really we shouldn't be telling States or localities or individuals what to do with. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.”