Letter to the Editor of the New York Times

Letter

The New York Times today published a letter that I wrote in response to an article describing Governor Perry's mismanagement of the Texas budget. My response highlights that the Governor has mismanaged the budget at the expense of Texas schoolchildren, and he continues to refuse to sign the three-page application that would provide our schools $830 million. You can read the original article by clicking here and my response, which I sent on behalf of the Texas Democratic Congressional Delegation, below.

Financing Texas Schools

Re "The Texas Omen" (column, Jan. 7): We applaud Paul Krugman for highlighting Gov. Rick Perry's disastrous use of "smoke and mirrors" budgeting. In 2009, the governor used $3.25 billion in federal education money to replace state education funds, denying any additional support for Texas schools.

When Congress considered providing new education financing for states last year, the Texas Democratic delegation worked to prevent history from repeating itself.

We acted in concert with Texas superintendents and major statewide education groups to craft a provision ensuring that $830 million of new education financing actually helps Texas schools. Our provision prohibits more anti-education "smoke and mirrors" budgeting.

But the governor refused to sign the three-page financing application because it requires him to use the money as Congress intended -- for education.

Five months later, Texas is one of two states that have not been awarded funds from this bill, and the governor continues to delay to the detriment of Texas schools.

Lloyd Doggett
Washington, Jan. 10, 2011

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