GOP Budget Plans Promise Big Hikes in K-12 Spending

By Erik W. Robelen

Washington

Education would come out a big winner under the Republican budget blueprints shepherded through committees in the House and the Senate last week. But party-line votes in both panels may signal looming battles over federal spending priorities.

Last Thursday, the Senate Budget Committee by a 12-10 vote approved a nonbinding budget resolution that would kick up the Department of Education's discretionary funding by $2.4 billion--or 7.1 percent--for fiscal 2000, to nearly $36 billion.

The plan would provide $24.1 billion for K-12 education, which Republicans said exceeds President Clinton's proposed budget by $3.3 billion. But critics say that difference does not reflect certain special education funds...