Sen. Johnson opposes proposed $67M cut to Impact Aid program

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said he is leading an effort opposing the president’s proposed $67 million cut to the Impact Aid program, which would cause approximately 20 school districts in the state to lose more than $3 million in funding.

Johnson met with 40 South Dakotans from across the state earlier this week to discuss the importance of the program.

“The president’s proposal to slash funding for Impact Aid is shortsighted. The program gives our school districts the tools they need to provide our kids with a quality education,” said Johnson, co-chairman of the Senate’s Impact Aid Coalition. “I disagree with President Obama’s plan and want to see the Senate take a different approach.”

The president proposed the cuts as part of the administration’s fiscal year 2013 budget proposal.

Johnson is asking the leaders of the Senate Appropriations and Budget committees to reject the cuts to the program.

The program was created to assist local school districts that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property, or that have experienced increased spending due to enrollment of federally connected children. Impact Aid helps to ensure military children, children residing on American Indian reservations and children in school districts that lose local revenue because of federal land ownership receive a quality education.

The funding is often used to help local school districts upgrade technology, repair and renovate facilities, keep classroom sizes low and address health and safety concerns.

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