Heat Index: A fact check of Perry's claim on education spending
November 14, 2009
THE CLAIM: In his campaign stump speech, Gov. Rick Perry states that when Texas faced with a budget shortfall in 2003, he and the Legislature cut spending instead of raising taxes but were able to put more money into priorities. "When we cut $10 billion out of our budget -- out of our spending -- we also increased funding for public schools. We put $1.8 billion more into public schools," he says.
Written by Ryan J. Rusak, The Dallas Morning News
THE CLAIM: In his campaign stump speech, Gov. Rick Perry states that when Texas faced with a budget shortfall in 2003, he and the Legislature cut spending instead of raising taxes but were able to put more money into priorities. "When we cut $10 billion out of our budget -- out of our spending -- we also increased funding for public schools. We put $1.8 billion more into public schools," he says.
THE FACTS: Between the 2002-03 and 2004-05 school years, the state increased its contribution to public schools by a little more than $400 million -- not the $1.8 billion Perry claims. And the increased spending by the state covered only the costs of increasing enrollment. About 143,000 more students were added to Texas schools in that period.
Texas Education Agency budget figures show that over that time, the state's contribution per student went from $2,801 per student to $2,800. The state also cut its contribution to teacher health benefits.
More money went into schools, but the bulk of that came from increased property taxes on local homeowners and businesses. Over that period of time the state shifted its burden to taxpayers, who put in $2 billion more for public education. The federal government kicked in an additional $100 million.
The governor's campaign says the numbers are derived from Legislative Budget Board's final state budget report showing total money to public education when from $32.9 billion in 2002-03 to $34.8 million in 2004-05. But that includes all revenue streams, including federal money, property taxes and state spending.
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