On the recordFebruary 18, 2011
We are hearing a lot about $3.25 billion that was sent to Texas under the stimulus/ARRA funds in 2010-2011. This money was actually appropriated by the Texas State legislature--Texas Senate: 29 ayes, 2 nays; the House: 142 ayes, 2 nays--in a bipartisan fashion. It was not the Governor. It was the State legislature, appropriately, that dealt with this money. Texas has long prioritized public education funding. From 2000 to 2009, Texas public education spending increased $9 billion, or 82 percent. The current Education Jobs statute directs me to violate the Texas Constitution by requiring me to commit a certain level of spending on public education in 2011, 2012 and 2013--prior to Texas even adopting our 2012-13 budget. No other state has to make these commitments beyond 2011. Texas submitted its application to the U.S. Department of Education on September 3, 2010, making every assurance allowed under Texas law. The application was nonetheless rejected. To date, 48 out of 50 states have received their share of Education Jobs funding. By passing Congressman Burgess' amendment, Congress can help right a wrong, apply equity to Texas, and quickly get $830 million flowing to Texas schools, teachers and children.
