Among the many arguments that voucher opponents level against the D.C. voucher program is the supposed drain they would cause in the District's public school budget. This argument is nonsense, especially in D.C., where Congress is ready to sweeten the pot with quite a lot more money for the regular public-school system. But the argument becomes even more difficult to take seriously as one reads reports that the District school system has not managed to spend almost $30 million in federal teacher development grants. Earlier this week, local officials fretted that D.C. was going to lose $20 million if the money was not spent by Tuesday. District officials now deny that the money is in jeopardy but admit it hasn't been spent, despite sitting in D.C. coffers for almost a year.
"District races to spend school funds," by Brian DeBose and George Archibald, Washington Times, September 30, 2003
"D.C. school officials deny federal funding lost," by Brian DeBose and George Archibald, Washington Times, October 1, 2003