ADN (3rd link above):
Much of the stimulus package money for education -- about $74 million -- was designated for poor schools and special-needs kids. It was to be spent over the next two academic years.
Most of the other money is meant to help prevent cuts to classrooms, staff and critical services.
"This is the kids' money, not our money," said Lower Yukon superintendent John Lamont.
If there's anything the GOP hates more than eduction, it's education for losers.
ADN (1st link above):
Palin is not taking about $288 million of the $930.7 million that Alaska is due in the federal stimulus. Palin said she is accepting the federal stimulus money that would go for construction projects, but not funding directed at government operations.
"We are not requesting funds intended to just grow government," Palin said. "In essence we say no to operating funds for more positions in government."
But, of course, with the substantial majority of that money targeted to education, "more positions in government" actually means, you know, teachers (not to mention that the first order of business is preventing them from being fired, apparently, even with their massive oil revenues):
The biggest single chunk of money that Palin is turning down is about $170 million for education, including money that would go for programs to help economically disadvantaged and special needs students. Anchorage School Superintendent Carol Comeau said she is "shocked and very disappointed" that Palin would reject the schools money. She said it could be used for job preservation, teacher training, and helping kids who need it.
Mudflats quotes Comeau more extensively (it's a good thing bloggers don't do reporting, or this could be embarrassing):
"We're shocked and very disappointed that the governor said she would reject the education stimulus money for Title I and IDEA programs. We believe that we can make very good use of the funds, not only in job preservation but also in adding new positions to ultimately use these funds to increase student achievement for our neediest children....
"One of the opportunities the Anchorage School Board, my administration and I have discussed is to add more preschool programs in Title I schools. Many of the children in neighborhoods served by these schools are not prepared to enter kindergarten. Title I schools have a large number of students who qualify for free and reduced price lunch, have high mobility rates, and are English language learners. Additional programs and support at these schools have proven to make a difference for our students in helping them be ready to enter kindergarten. Stimulus funds could also be used to extend learning time for students who need additional academic assistance.
"Additional stimulus funds designated for IDEA and special education give us a rare opportunity to use an increased amount of money for professional development to assist our classroom educators to better work with students with disabilities. It would also allow us to increase opportunities to use best practices within our Special Education department.
But that's not all. Comeau also addressed Palin's charge that taking money now would put them on the hook for spending more state money in the future:
"If we were to implement additional programs with the stimulus funds offered by President Obama, and the funds were to diminish a few years from now, we would be prepared to redistribute General Fund money or other federal funds to keep programs that have proven to be effective.
ASD would absolutely be transparent and accountable for federal school stimulus funds. We intend to actively engage the public to develop a plan to best use those funds.
"We urge the legislature to engage both the district and the community in a dialogue regarding these stimulus funds very quickly, as the decision on whether to accept the funds is two weeks away, April 3. We hope the legislature is willing to recognize the importance of this money and will take swift action."
The real danger here, of course, is that once Alaskans started spending more on education, they might keep it up on their own--after all, they've got those socialist oil checks going out to each and every one of them every year:
The governor could have a point in not wanting the money, said state House Speaker Mike Chenault. "There's a number of us that have the same concerns about what does it do to our budget in the future," said the Republican from Nikiski.
But Chenault said that the federal education money, in particular, could be good to have.
Members of the all-Republican state Senate minority said Palin is taking a wise course and it's important not to accept federal money that could end up costing the state in the long run. People could come to expect the programs, leaving the state paying for them to continue, said the governor and her allies within the state Legislature.
"This offer from the Congress and the Obama administration is a little bit like having way too much to drink," said Sen. Con Bunde, a Republican from Anchorage. "A good time may be had by all, but the hangover the next day, and the consequences of what you did while you were drunk, may be with you for a long, long time."
Good heavens, yes! Just look at the New Deal! We've been trying to get rid of Social Security for 70+ years now, and instead, LBJ went ahead and added Medicare as well!
Finally, Mudflats reports this from one of the Dem's gubernatorial candidates:
Bob Poe (D) - Gubernatorial Candidate for 2010:
Federal spending represents about one third of Alaska's economy each year, 59 per cent of Alaska is under federal ownership and Sarah Palin is rejecting $288 million in federal funds because she believes they will give the federal government too much control over Alaska?
The list of things impacted by this narcissistic decision on Palin's part is really too long to go over now, but consider ...
She is turning down almost $[1]75 million in education funding - this money could be used to develop our future workforce for things like the gas pipeline. You can be sure Texas and Oklahoma won't be turning down these funds and may get to use some of ours.
And while the governor may not personally need unemployment insurance or vocational rehabilitation every-day Alaskans are now starting to feel the financial pinch from the global economic decline. [written statement]
"Let me say this as clearly as possible. Sarah Palin is sacrificing Alaska's future for her own politial future." [This morning on KUDO 1080am]
I don't know. That sounds way too reality-based for the land of Sarah Palin. But, you know, folks really do like the idea of their kids getting educated. It was that damned Enlightenment thingie that started it all. |
