Idaho lawmaker writes bill to stop the state taking federal ed money

[jmowreader]

Disclosure: This article is from the paper I work for.

http://www.cdapress.com/local_news/20180131/fed_and_eddont_mix

An Idaho lawmaker wants to end federal funding for education across the state, rejecting millions of dollars currently being used to provide special education to students with disabilities, supply meals to low-income students and teach struggling students how to read.

Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, authored House Bill 413, which would amend the Idaho code to reduce and then eventually eliminate federal funding for students in kindergarten through 12th-grade over the course of the next decade.

“Idaho will be free to make its own education policy decisions without threat of reduced or eliminated federal funds,” the bill states. “This legislation provides a negative impact on the state general fund by approximately $12 million in fiscal year 2019 based on projected federal funding to the state.”

If passed into law, Nate’s bill would have a profound effect on local school districts by leaving them with massive budget shortfalls to deliver federally mandated programs.

Not surprisingly, every lawmaker from my county, all of whom are Republicans, is against it.

[asiliveandbreathe]

1. Shaking head - I swear this is how they think they can get their name

in neon lights...we had a rep in AZ (I retired from Mass) who authored a bill to make everyone go to church - oh my...glad to hear every lawmaker in your county is against it...

[procon]

2. So what happens to all the poor kids who rely on that federal assistance?

Republicans sure won't increase state taxes to make up the revenue shortfall, especially since their stated goal is to eliminate paying for the programs at all. So, this boils down to a Republican war on the poor that targets the most vulnerable citizens, children. They intend to force impoverished children with disabilities and special education needs out of schools entirely. After all, these are just poor kids and people of color, all unworthy of getting any help in the view of Republicans.

[lunasun]

3. One can only imagine

“Idaho will be free to make its own education policy decisions without threat of reduced or eliminated federal funds,” the bill states

[NCDem777]

4. I hope they do

I wanna see these idiots who want to live in the 18th century put their money where their mouths are. They talk a big game about how the Federal government is the cause of all of America's problems but they sure don't mind receiving more aid than anyone else.

Time they do it or shut the fuck up.