THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 2, 1996 TAG: 9607030016
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 38 lines
Virginian taxpayers should note that, to make a political point, Gov. George Allen has let $6.5 million of their money go to other states. Funds that could have been used to improve schools in Virginia and put computers in classrooms will be spent in other states for these purposes.
Governor Allen has given Virginia the dubious distinction of being the only state in the nation to refuse Goals 2000 monies. All other states are applying for their share and may get a bonus amount from the Virginia funds that will be redistributed among them.
At a time when local governments are struggling to balance their budgets for schools with spending reductions and tax increases, the Goals 2000 money would have made a small but significant difference. Ninety-two of 134 local school boards favored accepting the money. The Virginia Association of Counties and other statewide organizations requested that the governor take the funding.
Governor Allen has refused to accept any accountability requirements for the expenditure of Goals 2000 funds. At the same time, however, the administration has submitted 22 applications for more than $315 million in other federal education aid while agreeing to all assurances, regulations and stipulations associated with the funds. What's the difference?
With Goals 2000, lame-duck Governor Allen sees the potential for developing a federal issue for his goal of running for the U.S. Senate in the year 2000. In the meantime, Virginia schoolchildren lose; the state is made to appear foolish; the taxpayers lose scarce tax dollars.
In the long run, the governor will find that he, too, will lose for making educational funding a political issue at the expense of the taxpayers and children of Virginia.
KENNETH R. PLUM
Delegate, 36th District
Reston, June 26, 1996 by CNB