Perry's hands tied on education funding

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Gov. Rick Perry is calling on congressional Democrats to strip a Texas-specific provision in a financial aid package to states.

The measure, given final approval Thursday by the U.S. Senate, requires Perry to promise Washington that Texas will maintain state education spending levels through 2013.

The GOP governor said Thursday he can't do that because the Texas Constitution prohibits him from committing future legislative spending. Perry says the measure "effectively kills about $800 million in federal funding for Texas schools."

The House is scheduled to take up the measure again next week, but changes are not expected.

The squabble between Perry, who is seeking re-election, and House Democrats is the latest example of the governor's resisting federal presence in state policy.