TEXA$ GET$ MONEY!

-- Yes, you read correctly! Texas is about to get PAID (!!!)


Don't worry, I thought my eyes were going bonkers also when I came across this article. I knew we were asking for changes to President Obama, but who knew he'd deliver so quickly! Mr. Barack Obama kindly signed off on the federal stimulus bill that is expected to be a major amount of grant money for state education programs and local school districts.

Texas is expected to get at least $5.4 billion for public education over the next two years. Millions shall go to the school districts of special educational programs and for the low income students. Can I hear a little golf clap for the presidents desire to help educate everyone?! *golf claps*

Austin will be getting about $41 million within the next two years. About $39 million shall be distributed between:

• Round Rock- $9 million
• Pflugerville- $4.3 million
• Leander- $3.9 million
• San Marcos- $2.7

Geewilikers, that's a huge sum of money! Governor Rick Perry suggests that we only take out federal stimulus money for one-time-use expenses. *Pffft! I honestly don't see that happening. "The money is intended to plug holes in state and local government budgets to avoid layoffs and service cutbacks and could be used for construction."

With this huge state bonus coming in, hopefully the job opportunities will open up because Austin reported a 5.4 unemployment rate as 2008 was wrapping up. The stimulus money could be spent on reducing class sizes and hiring more TA's to help better the academic performance rates.