Hastings seeks funding for Grant County schools

COLUMBIA BASIN - Congressman Doc Hastings, R-4th district, said Wednesday he will not support a proposed spending program for schools until the federal government fully funds an existing program.

According to Hastings' office, a bill considered in the House of Representatives Wednesday would establish a $20 billion program for school construction and maintenance. Hastings planned to oppose the bill, stating the government is not fully funding its Impact Aid program.

"The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that no child's education is shortchanged because of federal land ownership," Hastings stated. "It's only fair that the federal government take care of federally impacted schools before launching a brand new government spending program costing billions of dollars."

Grant County school districts receiving funds through the program include Grand Coulee Dam and Quincy.

"In Grand Coulee Dam, Washington, students attend classes in buildings more than half a century old that are literally falling apart," Hastings stated in his floor speech. "While local residents have agreed to pay one of the highest levies in the state of Washington, the school district remains unable to secure a bond to make improvements because the community is surrounded by federal lands and a limited tax base."

Hastings' office stated the program was established in 1950 with the goal of compensating school districts who lose tax revenue due to federal land ownership. He stated the government should not create a new spending program if it cannot meet its existing responsibilities.

"Leave it to this liberal Congress to find a new way to spend billions of dollars while failing to keep a 50-year-old promise to our rural schools," Hastings stated.

Hastings offered two amendments to the new bill at a Rules Committee hearing Tuesday, according to his office. The first amendment would have required the Impact Aid program to be fully funded before the new program is funded. The second amendment would have given preference to schools receiving Impact Aid during distribution of the new funds.

The House was not able to debate or vote on the amendments due to Democratic party leadership, according to his office.