House approves state aid for education, Medicaid
By Andy Sher
asher@timesfreepress.com
NASHVILLE – In a 247-161 vote, the U.S. House today gave final approval to legislation providing $26 billion in education and Medicaid aid to help save the jobs of teachers and employees in financially beleagured states.
Federal estimates show Tennessee would see an estimated $240 million in enhanced funding for Medicaid, money which the state plans to direct to other areas. Another $195.8 million would go toward K-12 education to prevent layoffs of teachers or to rehire teachers who have been laid off.
Georgia, according to federal estimates, would see $228 million in enhanced Medicaid matching funds and another $322.3 million for education.
House roll call records show three of Tennessee’s congressional Democrats voted for the measure, which Democratic leaders and President Barack Obama backed. They were U.S. Reps. Lincoln Davis, Bart Gordon and Steve Cohen.
One Democrat, U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper of Nashville, noted no, according to House roll call records. U.S. Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn., was listed as not voting. U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., also was listed as not voting.
Opposing the $26 billion spending plan were U.S. Rep. John Duncan, R-Tenn.; U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn.
Tennessee’s fiscal year 2010-2011 budget provides contingency plans for spending $341 million in enhanced Medicaid matching funds. That is $100 million less than what actually materialized.
Budget priorities, in order, including $120 million for a targeted capital outlay program for community colleges and priority technical schools.
No. 2 is $9.6 million to help pay for a West Tennessee industrial mega site. Critical access hospitals would see $10 million. There is another $10 million for a “jobs opportunity fund.”
The next ranked priority is $90 million to fund a new Tennessee Highway Patrol communications system.
Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, and the GOP-dominated General Assembly shied away from using any of the Medicaid dollars to avoid employee layoffs, voicing concerns about using one-time money for recurring purposes.