This is not a good time to be a governor. On top of their budget woes, the 

 federal government continues to encroach on states’ rights. Most recently, through Race to the Top stimulus money, the federal government has sought power over what has always been a local and state issue, namely education.

Finally, Texas has stood up to the feds and said, “Enough!” They have declined to seek federal education stimulus money saying the strings attached intrude on states’ rights. 
This is part of a disturbing pattern—the federal government decides we have a crisis and declares a war—whether on poverty, drugs, illiteracy or underperforming schools. Then it offers money to get the financially strapped states to do what they want. 
Yes, many schools fail to meet their responsibilities, but does anyone seriously think federal oversight and federal funds are the solution?