GOVERNOR PUSHES LEGISLATURE FOR EXPEDITED RELEASE OF $1.2 BILLION IN RECOVERY ACT EDUCATION FUNDS

Governor's office press release

 

The Governor’s California Recovery Task Force today asked the legislature for expedited budget authority to quickly pass $1.2 billion in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding on to schools.

“I am committed to spending Recovery Act dollars efficiently and effectively, and to passing these dollars onto schools as quickly as possible to benefit students and protect jobs,” said Governor Schwarzenegger.

Approximately $1.2 billion in education funding for elementary and secondary schools with large populations of disadvantaged students (Title I schools), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs and improving facilities in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) was made available by the federal government on April 1.

It is required that the Budget Act be amended before these funds can be passed on, through the California Department of Education, to school districts. The Department of Finance, on behalf of the Task Force, has asked the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to quickly allow for those Budget Act adjustments.

The breakdown of the available funding is as follows:

• $562.5 million in federal Title I Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds
• $634 million in federal IDEA funds ($20.5 million dedicated to preschools)
• $12.9 million in NSLP federal equipment assistance funds

The Governor’s Task Force in partnership with the Office of the Secretary of Education will continue to track Recovery Act funds to ensure we capture as much money as possible for education and the state of California.

Governor Schwarzenegger created the California Recovery Task Force to track the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding coming into the state; work with President Barack Obama’s administration; help cities, counties, non-profits and others access the available funding; ensure that the funding funneled through the state is spent efficiently and effectively; and maintain a Web site that is frequently and thoroughly updated for Californians to be able to track the stimulus dollars.

The Task Force can be reached through its Web site, www.recovery.ca.gov, or by telephone at (916) 322-4688.