Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) today blasted a proposed amendment to H.R. 1586, a bill that adds $26.1 billion in new spending, primarily related to education jobs funding and federal matching funds for Medicaid (FMAP).  Under the proposed amendment, a new formula would be imposed on how Texas allocates the $830 million in additional funds that would come to the state in this bill.  The formula heavily favors urban districts over suburban districts.  A study by the Texas Education Agency determined that 10 school districts in the 22nd Congressional District will lose a total of $18,048,152 in funds they would be eligible to receive under the traditional Weighted Average Daily Attendance state funding formula. 

 “First, this is an 18 month, $26 billion spending bill that will take 10 years to pay back.  This is the kind of reckless spending Americans want stopped. Secondly and equally important, Washington should never tell one state how to allocate resources as a result of a select few people opposing how a state chooses to spend the funds in its state. The Texas State Constitution specifically prevents the Governor from committing to future spending. As a result, Texas could lose the allocated funding altogether.  Additionally, the amended formula will drastically alter how the state allocates these resources picking winners and losers in the supposed fight to help teachers.  It’s wrong and I oppose it,” Olson concluded.

 Breakdown of TX-22 School Districts that will lose funding under the proposed formula:

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