Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on the U.S. Department of Education’s Rejection of Texas’ Application for $830 Million in Federal Education Funding

Gov. Rick Perry today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Education's rejection of Texas' application for $830 million in federal funds for Texas schools from the federal emergency education jobs bill (H.R. 1586):

"Despite the state's efforts to secure our fair share of federal education funds consistent with our laws and Constitution, Lloyd Doggett and Congress' anti-Texas provisions made sure that Texas school children and hard-working teachers will see none of these funds this year.

"Surely Congress did not intend to require states to violate their own constitutions and statutes in order for schools to receive this money. I am sworn to uphold state laws and our constitution, which prohibit binding commitments about future budgets or funding levels. Congressman Doggett's anti-Texas language put special restrictions on our state and prevents the Secretary of Education from granting a waiver to Texas, which he can grant to 49 other states.

"We are urging the U.S. Department of Education to find legally appropriate ways to deliver these funds to Texas schools this year. If they cannot, we are requesting they set the $830 million aside so we can apply in 2011 when the budget for fiscal years 2012-2013 is finalized."