May 4, 2009 10:26AM 

# Cry Poverty… 

By [Neal McCluskey](https://www.cato.org/people/neal-mccluskey) 

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…and let slip the dollars of stimulus!

As [has been the case](http://www.catostore.org/index.asp?fa=ProductDetails&method=&pid=1441355) from almost the first day of major federal involvement in education, public schools have gamed the system to get as much money — and as little accountability — as possible. As [this article](http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090504/ARTICLE/905041027/2055/NEWS?Title=School-districts-looking-to-attract-stimulus-funds) from Florida makes clear, that tradition is still going strong!

##### Related Tags 

[Education](https://www.cato.org/education), [Center for Educational Freedom](https://www.cato.org/center-educational-freedom) 

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