State could use federal school funding to help close budget gap

The $1.2 billion was supposed to supplement state funds, saving teachers' jobs. Instead, lawmakers could subtract that amount from the education budget. Education groups are outraged at the possibility.

The federal government recently handed $1.2 billion to California schools to help save teachers' jobs. But education advocates fear that state legislators will use the funds to shrink California's $19.1-billion deficit instead.