Finally: Some real funding for special ed. (The stimulus bill)

For years and years, special ed has gone woefully underfunded by the federal government. This underfunding, has resulted in higher property taxes in many states. The stimulus package provides the first real funding of special ed in years. And it could lead to a reduction in property taxes in states like mine, Vermont.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2009/01/29/stimulus_georgia_school.html

It makes me think of my erstwhile senator who quit the repuke party over this issue.

Not saying spec-ed doesnt need funding, but I hate backdoor funding.

to the lack of federal funding for special ed. And I hate unfunded mandates that are forced on the states.

Making an assumption that your property taxes are going to go down because of the funding is erroenous. Even if they did go down, the effect will take at least a year to show up -- and that is only in the case of homeowners.

Like I said before, I've nothing against more spec-ed funding. We have the numbers in Congress to get any bill through. It annoys me to no end to bundle shit together and call the bill something its not.

stimulus or no stimulus

No more using it as a political football on the local level due to the property tax issue.

and the money for school infrastructure is another very good thing.

and I was in charge of the maintenance warehouse where I bought building supplies for new school construction and all their tools. Many maintenance departments would run out of money early and I would have to cut them off from getting requisitions for the material. It was a mess, especially since the county commissioners were conservative and wanted by ideology to starve the funding anyway.

I work with a home for handicapped people...they saw their funding get a big cut back in 2002 thanks to georgie booosh's tax cuts and "war on terrer". That was compounded by lower state taxes due to those cuts which meant less state money as well. Then we have our now EX governor who cut funding further to pay for prescription drugs that never were distributed...and then the bite of the last year has hurt donations. We're bracing for a real tough 2009 as costs rise and tax revenues continue to shrink.

This money is not only gratefully welcome but a very important statement adressing the needs of some of the poorest and less fortunate of Americans...people who have suffered silently over the past 8 years.

Cheers...

My district is currently considering cutting another 10 days of school THIS YEAR to deal with mid-year budget cuts coming from the state. Our students only attend school for 168 days already. Federal monies for infrastructure won't help that problem, although it will help in other areas. Money for Title I and Special Ed could help, freeing up other money to avoid the cuts and keep schools open for the rest of the year. Our superintendent has been hoping for something like this.

:thumbsup:

and most of my neighbors have been struggling with their property taxes.