State Representative

District 70

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Congress Seizes More Power Over Texas Education Funding

Last week, I shared information about the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act (H.R. 1586), a $26 billion aid package for states that President Obama recently signed into law. Congressman Lloyd Doggett from Austin, Texas added an amendment to this legislation that targets Texas and our ability to fund public education.

Congressman Doggett’s amendment would allow Texas to receive additional money to fund public schools under H.R. 1586 only if the Governor of Texas provides an assurance that our State will not reduce the percentage of total revenue spent on education at any time in the next three years.  This amendment is absurd because the Legislature, not the Governor, is responsible for creating the budget for all State services, including public education.  Governor Rick Perry has argued that “the Governor (of Texas) cannot bind future legislatures to any level of spending,” and because he cannot provide the kind of assurance that the Doggett amendment requires, Texas, and only Texas, will be denied over $800 million in education funds from the federal government.

Furthermore, the fact that H.R. 1586 requires Texas to maintain or increase spending levels in order to receive federal funds is itself extremely irresponsible.  As I mentioned last week, Texas has a constitutional amendment that requires the Legislature to pass a balanced budget every biennium.  Federal legislation that requires Texas to maintain its funding levels for any program may require the State Legislature to raise taxes or makes cuts to other programs and services if we are unable to cover these costs.  These tough decisions should be made at the state level without the federal government tying our hands.

The strings attached from Washington frequently cause the Legislature to lose flexibility in how we choose to enact our education programs.  However, I remain committed to providing sufficient allocations to fund our public schools, and Texas will continue to provide for its students and teachers.  The Texas Education Agency will propose its budget later this month, and I along with several of my colleagues are closely examining H.R. 1586 and the Doggett amendment to determine the effects on our education system so that we may make the best decisions for Texans next legislative session.