Back To The Future?

The WaPo has a fresh exclusive: Obama to propose consolidating federal education programs in his budget.   That’s a significant move (and a smart one on the policy) albeit one likely to encounter a lot of resistance.  Plus, the budget has a carrot:  If Congress passes an ESEA reauthorization they get…one…billion…dollars!   But is that enough?

And some big budget numbers for education…right after the “freeze.”   Sort of a mixed message on SOTU day or is education spending still enough of a valence issue that it doesn’t matter?  Not sure how this helps the administration quell the vocal discontent on the left about the freeze though.  It’s domestic spending, yes, but they hate education reform…In any event, the ESEA sweepstakes are on again.