Education

Abbott: Texas Will Send $11.2B of Federal Stimulus Money to Schools

After months of waffling on how and when federal stimulus dollars will be sent to schools, Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday that the state will release $11.2 billion to address learning loss and costs incurred because of the pandemic.

As we reported in March, after federal money earmarked for Texas schools was supplanted in 2020 to fill holes in the budget, how the state would use the over $12 billion in the American Rescue Plan was unclear.

According to the governor’s statement, “two-thirds of the funds are available immediately under grants administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), with the final one-third to be distributed contingent upon approval by the U.S. Department of Education.”

The question still remains on when schools will see over $5 billion in Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation (CRRSA) Act funds released earlier this year. According to the governor, those funds come with more federal stipulations, and while the Texas Education Agency works with the Department of Education to secure those funds through a waiver submitted last February to not have to maintain previous funding levels for public education and higher education, Texas will continue to hold school districts harmless for absences due to the pandemic and reimburse schools for COVID-19 related costs. The state expects to resolve those issues before the end of the legislative session.

Texas legislators also weighed in with House Speaker Dade Phelan saying, “Texas is committed to our children and our public education system, and these funds and our efforts this session will underscore that commitment.”

Here is how much your school district would benefit from these funds today.

RA Staff

Written by RA News staff.

Recent Posts

Texas’ Opioid Fight Faces Uncertainty as COVID-Era Funding Ends

Texas’ no-cost naloxone distribution system faces mounting…

5 hours ago

Cruz Proposes Anti-Censorship Bill

Sen. Ted Cruz is preparing to introduce…

5 hours ago

$50 Million for Administration? Odyssey Chosen to Run Texas School Voucher Program

Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced Monday that…

1 day ago

Wesley Hunt Enters Texas GOP Senate Race And Shakes Up 2026 Primary

Texas Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt announced Monday…

1 day ago

Trey Trainor Launches Bid for Chip Roy’s Congressional Seat

Trey Trainor, a longtime ally of President…

1 day ago

Texas Democrats Focus on Winning Back Working-Class Voters

As Texas Democrats prepare for the 2026…

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.