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States Returned More Than $66
Million in Unused Federal Education Funds to Treasury in 2004, Government
Figures Show
WASHINGTON , D.C. – States collectively returned more
than $66 million in unused federal education funds to the U.S. Treasury
last year instead of spending it on students and schools, and they still
have access to more than $6 billion in unused federal education funds
dating back as far as the Clinton
administration, official federal statistics show. Much of the
returned money could have been used to implement federal laws such as the
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA).
The figures are among the highlights
of an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data released today by the
House Committee on Education & the Workforce, chaired by Rep. John
Boehner (R-OH).
“As President Bush releases his
budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, it’s only appropriate that
we look back at how the money Congress has already appropriated has been
used – or not used – over the past five years,” said Boehner, who noted
K-12 education funding will have increased by 51% since 2001 if the
President’s FY 2006 Budget is enacted.
Among the findings released
today:
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States collectively returned more than $66 million in unused
federal education funds to the U.S. Treasury in 2004.
Non-competitive “Formula” funds for initiatives such as Title I aid to
disadvantaged students and IDEA accounted for approximately $42,199,680
of the returned funds. “Discretionary” funds awarded to states,
local school districts and schools on a competitive basis accounted for
$24,049,951.
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As of January 7, 2005, states collectively had
access to more than $6 billion in unexpended federal education funds
appropriated for their use in FYs 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
States had more than $325 million in unexpended funds originally
appropriated under President Clinton (FYs 2000, 2001).
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The total amount of federal education money unused
by states is increasing, not decreasing. As of January 6, 2004,
states had approximately $5.75 billion in unused federal education
funds. As of last month, the total was $6.05 billion – an increase
of more than $295 million.
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