Texas Democratic Party Responds to Perry's Refusal to Fund Education Programs, Reforms

by: Matt Glazer

Wed Jan 13, 2010 at 00:02 PM CST

Texas Democratic Party Chairman, Boyd Richie, has just sent out a statement regarding Gov. Rick Perry's decision to decline to apply for $700 million in federal Race to the Top education funds,

"What kind of Texan is not willing to compete for his children? It's widely acknowledged our schools don't have adequate funding, and hundreds of school districts were forced to raise local taxes, lay off teachers or eliminate programs due to the Governor's 2006 state education funding freeze.
"It's clear Rick Perry is more concerned with trying to be Governor for life than he is with the 4.8 million children who attend our Texas schools."

We will do our best to report on other statements as they are released.

Tags: TDP, Boyd Richie, Race to Top, Education, Rick Perry, (All Tags)

Print Friendly View

Send As Email

Texas Democratic Party Responds to Perry's Refusal to Fund Education Programs, Reforms | 5 comments

Not strong enough (3.00 / 1)

Needs to be more forceful. Seriously, this is the dumbest thing I've seen done to our public education system in a long time - it even beats out the push to dumb down our textbooks.

by: derby378 @ Wed Jan 13, 2010 at 18:41:51 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

I totally agree. Richie needs to use a sledge (0.00 / 0)

hammer on this one. Perry's action is purely despicable and unconscionable.

by: Libby Shaw @ Wed Jan 13, 2010 at 19:16:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

TDP Response (0.00 / 0)

Some teachers groups may disagree with that assessment.

by: Aero @ Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 00:18:39 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

$700 Million? (0.00 / 0)

Where did this figure come from? An estimate of what Texas MIGHT receive? There is only $4.35 billion in funding. If Texas receives $700 million, that only leaves $3.65 billion for 49 other states.

The problem with this is what the problem was with regard to the unemployment funding. Somewhere down the road, the taxpayers pick up who knows who much under the compliance obligations of participation.

Once in, you're in. And the taxpayers could be stuck with paying for an education program they thought was paid for.

Read the fine print. Play now, pay later works well for now. Doesn't work so well later.

by: Baby Snooks @ Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 14:45:55 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Teachers groups should never stand with Perry (0.00 / 0)

Certainly, teachers' groups oppose merit pay and charter school expansion, but those are two things Rick Perry has tried to cram down their throats here in Texas for a decade. It's inexcusable for a teachers' union leader to stand with a Governor who has done the same thing to them that they find objectionable with Race to the Top. Just dumb politics.

by: getreal @ Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 22:24:25 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Texas Democratic Party Responds to Perry's Refusal to Fund Education Programs, Reforms | 5 comments

Connect With BOR

Your source for Texas politics.

On Facebook: BOR
On Twitter: @BOR
On the Go: Mobile App

Is Rick Perry Gay?

Download the book, and decide for yourself!

Read Glen Maxey's tell-all about his quest to uncover the truth about Rick Perry.

Now available in paperback!

The Perry Compendium

Know the truth about Rick Perry's record of failure.

--On The Issues: Rick Perry's positions on the issues that matter.
--In Our Archives: A growing list of everything we've written about Rick Perry.
--On Perry's Trail: Regular coverage of campaign stops, quotes, and coverage.
--Everything Else: Lists, links, and archives from across Texas.

Read the Perry Compendium.