We have listened to the needs of parents and school leaders across Texas, we overcame the opposition of the Obama Administration, and we are writing into federal law a requirement that federal education dollars not be diverted again from local schools.

There is no Constitutional limitation on doing right by our Texas schoolchildren.  The obligation that this amendment places on Texas is to spend new education dollars on education purposes.  Our schoolchildren deserve no less.  And that is why this approach has enjoyed the support of the Texas Association of School Boards and statewide groups representing teachers, principals, and school administrators from across the State.

Compliance is very easy, unless there remains a hidden Republican agenda to avoid accountability and to engage in more of the shenanigans of last year, which replaced state education dollars with federal dollars, leaving our schools no better off than if we had done nothing.  Instead of concocting phony legalistic arguments to deny our local schools the funds that they so desperately need, Governor Perry should join with us in support of public education.

To get a better understanding of what is happening, please read:

• “Texas to Sue if Congress Restricts School Funds” in the San Antonio Express News by clicking here.
• “Doggett Rejects GOP Leadership Arguments and Seems to Hold All the Cards” from The Quorum Report by clicking here.
• “Doggett: Keep School Funds in Schools” from the Austin Chronicle by clicking here.