NASHVILLE – Gov. Phil Bredesen said Wednesday it is only fair that Tennessee receive $195.8 million in federal aid to save educators’ jobs, despite the fact that his administration has not cut teacher funding for local school systems.
The governor told reporters that top state officials are still sorting through federal requirements in a $26 billion aid package for states, which received final approval by the U.S. House on Tuesday.
“Since we have not laid off teachers, we’re sitting here trying to struggle with whether we qualify for it,” Gov. Bredesen told reporters during a teleconference call. “And if we don’t, I’ll be fairly irritated just because you shouldn’t be punished for managing well.”
Despite dropping tax revenues, Tennessee officials have prevented budget cuts on most of the state’s Basic Education Program funding formula for schools.
The federal money contains $10 billion to help states on education and another $16 billion in enhanced federal Medicaid payments. The legislation was quickly signed into law by President Barack Obama.