Using the plight of disadvantaged kids to get more money diverted to you, and keeping the kids disadvantage because tax money is a scarce resource as you said -

Using the plight of disadvantaged kids to get more money diverted to you, and keeping the kids disadvantage because tax money is a scarce resource as you said - pure genius! A self maintaining scam that can be milked as needed (well, every 5 years as indicated by the OP, to ensure voters have forgotten) No wonder why some people fight to maintain the status quo!