Sponsor Statement for SJR 6: Education Block Grants

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Session:
State Capitol, Room 508
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465-3892
Fax: (907) 465-6595

Interim:
716 W 4th Avenue, Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99501-2133
Phone: (907) 269-0234
Fax: (907) 269-0238

Urging the Congress of the United States to provide federal education funds as a block grant to the state.

Prepared by: Senator Dave Donley at (907) 465-3892.

Last Updated: January 24, 2001

Senate Joint Resolution 6 urges Congress to provide federal education funds as block grants to the states including Alaska.

Senate Joint Resolution 6 encourages Congress to give the states greater control over the education funds provided by the federal government. By taking control of funds from federal bureaucrats thousands of miles away it will empower state officials to put these important education dollars to their most appropriate uses.

Block grants will reduce administrative expenses and allow more funds to be used in the classroom. Currently, the federal government provides many different types of funding for education that are specifically earmarked for various education uses. SJR 6 will encourage Congress to instead disburse the money in the form of a block grant, as they do with welfare funding, directly to the State of Alaska. In the 105th Congress, the House of Representatives passed HR 3248, which would have created an education block grant system. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass the Senate.

Senate Joint Resolution 6 encourages Congress to give the states maximum flexibility in the use of federal education funds. State and local governments are a better judge of how this money should be spent than distant federal bureaucrats.

A similar measure, SJR 11, passed during the 21st legislature and we should adopt a new resolution for the new President and Congress.

DD/bc

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