Jobs bill revived

Congress successfully revived a faltering jobs proposal that will provide $10 billion to help school districts avoid teacher layoffs. HR 1586, which also includes $16 billion for Medicaid programs, passed through Congress and was signed by President Obama on Aug. 10, 2010.

The bill will extend programs enacted in last year’s stimulus law and provide relief for thousands of teachers.

Texas’ share is expected to be about $830 million, though when and whether we receive these funds may take a while to determine, given concerns about whether the governor can comply with an amendment added by Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin).

The goal of the Doggett amendment is to ensure that the federal funds would supplement, rather than supplant, existing education expenditures.

When Texas received the first round of stimulus funds in 2009, legislators chose to use federal dollars to fill budget holes and Texas schools did not get the full benefit of the $3.2 billion in new funding.

Gov. Rick Perry has stated that he cannot meet the conditions of the Doggett amendment, due to, among other concerns, the inability of one session of the legislature to bind another.

There are now indications that Texas officials may be able to work out an acceptable strategy with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to allow Texas schools to begin receiving the funds.

Funding could be distributed as early as Sept. 1, and would be limited to salaries of classroom and support personnel. Duncan estimates that $830 million could save up to 14,500 jobs in Texas.