Texas State Representative Terry Canales (D-Edinburg) announced today that the State of Texas is allocating $200 million in CARES Act funding to help students stay connected to their schools while learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This funding will go a long way in ensuring that every student has access to the tools they need to learn from home. Over the past several months, my office has been working closely with our teachers, our school districts, and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to ensure that every single one of our children receives the safest and highest quality education that we can give them under these incredibly tough circumstances. As a member of the House Democratic Caucus' Education Workgroup, I remain focused on the education of each and every young Texan, said Rep. Canales.”

TEA will use the funding to purchase and distribute devices, hotspots, routers, and more based on specific needs identified by local education agencies (LEAs). The money also will establish a reimbursement program for devices and home internet costs incurred by LEAs from May 21st through September 1st.

Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, is the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and represents House District 40 in Hidalgo County, which includes portions or all of Edinburg, Elsa, Faysville, La Blanca, Linn, Lópezville, McAllen, Pharr and Weslaco. He may be reached at his House District Office in Edinburg at (956) 383-0860 or at the Capitol at (512) 463-0426.