Posted on 08/01/2011 2:33:08 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Florida's decision to reject federal grants tied to the Obama administration's health-care overhaul means it might not be able to compete for $100 million to improve the care and education of young children.
A new federal Race to the Top program that aims to improve early learning was launched in May, the latest push from Washington to spur reform through competition among states.
The first Race to the Top competition, embraced by then-Gov. Charlie Crist, resulted in a $700 million grant for the state last year. But Florida could remain on the sidelines in the newest competition, which has the potential of netting the state an additional $100 million.
Meanwhile, 36 other states and the District of Columbia plan to take a shot at the new grant.
....Florida might not be able to apply for the grant because one of the proposed eligibility guidelines requires states to take part in a federal child-abuse-prevention program.
Florida had been participating in the prevention program until the Florida Legislature decided against authorizing it this spring. The program's grant money was among about $54 million the state has rejected or refused to apply for since last fall.
All the rejected grants are part of the Obama administration's health-care overhaul law.
The Florida Attorney General's Office has sued over the law, which both Gov. Rick Scott and Republican leaders in the Legislature oppose.
State lawmakers have said it doesn't make sense to take money tied to a law they view as unconstitutional.
....Katie Betta, Cannon's spokeswoman, said the child-abuse grant the Legislature and Scott turned down was a problem not only because of the health-care law but also because it could come with "strings attached" that require state funding once the federal money runs out....
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
Florida is one.
Texas is another.
Gov. Rick Perry said "no" to competing in "Race to the Top." Texas Knows Best How to Educate Our Students
But Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee and her Democratic Party wanted Perry's signature so the "money would flow to our schools within days."
Gov. Perry sued for Texas' money (without Washington telling us how to spend it) -- And won! Promise Kept.
[Rick] Scott Promotes Controversial Education Reforms [Rick Perry has championed] “Gov. Rick Scott has begun discreetly promoting the same changes to the higher education system that Texas Gov. Rick Perry has championed. The proposals include some of the same reforms pushed by conservatives in K-12 schools: merit pay for professors, tenure reform, and generally a much greater emphasis on measurement of whether professors are turning out students that meet certain goals.
The attempt in Texas has caused something of an identity crisis in that states higher education community, with opponents saying what needs to be reformed is Perrys control over university policies.
Scott told the News Service of Florida on Tuesday that he has discussed the Texas reforms with his appointees to university and college governing boards in an effort to line up support for a nascent campaign to dramatically change how universities and colleges are funded, overhaul professor tenure, emphasize teaching over research, and give students more influence.
An admirer of Texas, Scott has developed a friendly relationship with Perry, who is flirting with the idea of seeking the Republican nomination for President in 2012. Texas is regularly praised for its business-friendly climate and has weathered the economic recession better than most states…….”
Higher Education Coalition attack on [Texas Gov. Rick] Perry raises eyebrows
Florida is doing something right? Stories from Florida are usually very strange.
And on education !!!
“Florida’s decision to reject federal grants tied to the Obama administration’s health-care overhaul means it might not be able to compete for $100 million to improve the care and education of young children.”
No bias there! /sarc
And how much will Obamacare cost? Besides wrecking everyone’s health in the meantime.
Obamacare is gutting medicare. Everyone who deals with medicare on a regular basis knows the program is being put under enormous stress by Obamacare, and seniors are being denied benefits they had in previous years.
Just a couple of months ago a provider told my mother due to Obamacare they had to cut her physical therapy benefits. And down here in FL seniors know about these things.
The scam is to direct everything in our lives by “giving” us our money back to help us, through a program (that had to be crammed down our throats) that will consume all our resources and productivity (to keep funded and government growing) and will leave capitalism and health care in shambles.
Typical Government Blackmail with our Money. Do this or you wont get that. Every State should tell Washington to go to hell
The Parish I live in Louisiana chose not to participate in the so called “Race to the Top”.
Bump!
I’d be interested in knowing how much state money must be put into these programs in order to get this federal “largess.” Too many times states will spend $XX in order to get $YY from DC.....even though the state cannot afford $XX and once the federal money runs out the state is on the hook for $XX PLUS $YY as these programs usually grow a life of their own and refuse to die.
Yes. It’s a sop to the unions and a hook in our rears (for years and years after the feds have moved on to new fishing grounds).
Yes, we bodunks down here in Florida get some things right.
Like turning down high speed rail that no one would ride and this grant with 100’s of millions that Florida taxpayers would have to fund after the grant money runs out!
It’s the other half from the NE that want things that bankrupted their home states before moving here. Many on unfunded State Pensions. Yeah, I had to throw that in there.
Florida and all states should reject federal money, because with it comes federal control. Money doesn’t educate, anyway.
I see you've just arrived on planet earth. Welcome aboard.
Governor Scott has been one the most effective conservative politicians in the country. He's been slaughtering liberal and big government sacred cows at every opportunity, to the point where the lefties despise him with eye-bleeding hatred.
We also have a VERY conservative state legislature and some of the best gun laws (much better than Texas in fact) in the nation.
I wish the states would join forces and stop this stupid "federal money" racket. "Fed money" begins in the states (as earnings of state residents and businesses). Fed says "Do this, or you don't get your $100,000,000." State says, "No problem, we'll just take our $100,000,000 from the taxes our residents would have sent you. Here's your cut of their income taxes."
“Fed says “Do this, or you don’t get your $100,000,000.” State says, “No problem, we’ll just take our $100,000,000 from the taxes our residents would have sent you. Here’s your cut of their income taxes.””
Excellent suggestion. This Fascist government is making a states’ righter out of me!
One small problem with that. The state does not collect federal income tax funds. Each individual has to pay directly to the IRS. The state is not involved so there is nothing they can withhold.
I agree. That is the system I am proposing changing.
I understand your desire to assert the 10th Amendment but it would be an additional expense for all states, especially those who do not have a state income tax. They would have to creature and entirely new department and that works against our principles of small government. It would also create endless conflicts and lawsuits with different states withholding money for different reasons.
I like the spirit of your idea but the mechanics need some work.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.