Newest Palin Smear: She Cut Special Needs Budget

I just watched CNN's Soledad O'Brien sandbag former White House 
Communications Director Nicole Wallace by asking her how Sarah Palin can 
claim to be a defender of special needs children when she cut the budget 
for that Alaska office by 62 percent. Wallace wasn't familiar with the 
charge -- which isn't surprising, since it's only being made on DailyKos 
and another liberal site. (Tip for Ms. O'Brien: DailyKos is not a reliable 
news site.)

This charge is based on looking at the budget for Alaska's Special 
Education Service Agency for 2007-2009. In fact, the December 2006 budget 
document that they cite would have been prepared by the outgoing 
administration -- that of Republican Frank Murkowski, whom Palin defeated.
What's gone unmentioned is that the Palin signed into law a dramatic 
reform of the state's education financing system that equalizes aid to 
rural and urban districts, while significantly increasing funding for 
special needs students. From the publication Education Week:

(quote)

Gov. Sarah Palin and state lawmakers have gone ahead with an overhaul of 
Alaskas school funding system that supporters predict will provide 
much-needed financial help to rural schools and those serving students 
with disabilities.

The plan, enacted in the recently concluded session of the legislature, is 
based on recommendations issued by a legislative task force last year. It 
will phase in a greater flow of money to districts outside of Anchorage, 
Alaskas largest city, over the next five years.

Advocates for rural and remote schools have lobbied for years for more 
funding, in particular noting the higher fuel, transportation, and other 
costs associated with providing education in communities scattered across 
the vast state.

A second part of the measure raises spending for students with special 
needs to $73,840 in fiscal 2011, from the current $26,900 per student in 
fiscal 2008, according to the Alaska Department of Education and Early 
Development (emphasis added).

(end Quote)

So the Netroots and CNN allege that Palin cut special needs funding by 62 
percent, by crediting her with the budget proposed by a political 
opponent. And the truth is that rather than a 62 percent cut, she's 
actually increasing special needs funding by 175 percent.
It's no wonder a majority of Americans think the media is trying to hurt 
Palin.

Posted by Brian Faughnan on September 4, 2008

http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/09/newest_palin_smear_she_cut_spe.asp