[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 59 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FEDERAL FUNDING OF EDUCATION

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I am a firm believer that when money is 
allocated for a specific purpose, it should be used for that purpose. 
This is not the case with Federal dollars allocated to improving our 
educational system. A recent study has estimated that 15 percent of 
every Federal dollar earmarked for education is eaten up by the 
Washington bureaucracy before the funds even reach the local school 
districts.
  To top that off, as a part of a committee project to determine what 
works and what is wasted in American education, we found that it takes 
local school districts nearly 480 steps and 26 weeks just to receive a 
grant from the Federal Government. Local school districts have to put 
time, money, and staff into obtaining Federal money earmarked for 
education and then watch as 15 percent of every dollar is spent before 
the funds even reach the school. After you factor in local costs, 
imagine how much more Federal money does not get to our children.
  If the Federal Government is going to be about providing funds for 
education, let us ensure that the dollars get down to the local school 
districts and free school districts from costly paperwork tied to 
Federal funds.

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