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U.S. House Dems Add Caveat to Texas Schools Funds

Austin, Texas

A special provision tacked on to a supplemental budget bill this week in the U.S. House cuts Texas education officials out of the decision-making process that will determine how more than $800 million in federal aid to schools will be spent in the state.

The Texas caveat also requires Gov. Rick Perry to make assurances to Washington that state funding for education will not fall below a certain level through the 2013 fiscal year. Perry's office says that requirement is unconstitutional and will effectively deny Texas schools the money.

"At the urging of Texas Democrats, the U.S. House has added language to the war supplemental bill that effectively kills about $800 million in federal funding for Texas schools," said Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger. "The House-passed version requires that the governor guarantee the Legislature will provide a certain level of state funding, which is prohibited...