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

Prepared by: Senate Finance Committee
Updated: April 29, 1999

Senate Joint Resolution 11 urges Congress to provide federal education funds as block grants to the state of Alaska.

Senate Joint Resolution 11 encourages Congress to give the State of Alaska greater control over the education funds provided by the federal government. By taking control of funds from an agency thousands of miles away and placing the disbursement responsibility in the hands of the state and communities the funding will directly impact, the money will be put to its most appropriate use.

Currently, the federal government provides funding for education that is specifically earmarked for education programs within the state. SJR 11 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. Congress is considering a similar resolution in the 106th Congress.

Senate Joint Resolution 11 will give the state maximum flexibility in the use of education funds. Alaska is faced with a looming fiscal gap and the last thing the state needs is an outside entity directing education funding. State and local governments are a better judge of where money should be spent and what programs are vital to the continuing education of the people of the State of Alaska.

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