Jun. 15, 2004

Gov. Perry Joins Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, Speaker Craddick In Announcing Textbook Funding Solution

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today joined Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Tom Craddick and other legislative leaders in announcing they have agreed to solve a cash flow problem that threatened timely delivery of textbooks for next school year.

“Textbooks will be delivered on time so that our schoolchildren can stay on course in meeting the demands of our curriculum,” Perry said. “The leadership that Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and Speaker Craddick have shown on this issue was instrumental in developing the commitment to ensure the money is available for the state to purchase textbooks,” Perry said.

"There's nothing more important to me than public education for our children, and I appreciate everyone working together, including Senator Steve Ogden, to provide new textbooks in a timely manner for this next school year so our children have the resources they need,” Dewhurst said.

Under the agreement, the legislative leadership authorized the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to transfer funds from various accounts within the agency to cover the $63 million cost of textbook purchases for the current budget cycle. The state will later reimburse TEA for the cost of purchasing biology and bi-lingual/ESL books and other textbooks needed because of enrollment growth.

Today's action was necessitated by the comptroller's refusal to certify budgeted revenues from the change in point of collection on fuel taxes, which were relied on by the legislature to fund textbook purchases.

“I appreciate the leadership and commitment that Chairman Ogden and Chairman Heflin demonstrated in resolving this matter,” Perry added. “Parents and educators can know we remain committed to continue meeting the needs of Texas schoolchildren.”