WH, Harkin and Miller pushing $23 billion federal aid to prevent teacher layoffs

[ProSense]

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WALL STREET AND SCHOOL TEACHERS....

It's been a little under the radar this week, but a key policy dispute is unfolding over federal aid to prevent teacher layoffs.

As states and municipalities continue to struggle with budget shortfalls, schools are being forced to let teachers go. Last year's stimulus bill saved over 400,000 teaching jobs, but it's a new year, and it will take another effort to prevent a massive number of teacher layoffs.

Estimates vary, but my accounts, we're talking about 100,000 to 300,000 job losses in public schools nationwide.

Democratic policymakers hope to do just that. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) are, with the White House's enthusiastic support, pushing the Keep Our Educators Working Act, which calls for $23 billion in emergency support to preserve these education jobs.

Yesterday, House Minorty Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced his position on the legislation. Care to guess what he thinks? Yep, he's pro-layoff.

"The American people recognize that Washington's out-of-control spending is hurting our economy and stifling job creation, and they're asking their elected leaders to make tough choices on fiscal responsibility. Unfortunately, the Administration's call for another $23 billion to pad the education bureaucracy will only make state governments more dependent on the federal government and more vulnerable when the federal funding explosion disappears. <...>

"Giving states another $23 billion in federal education money simply throws more money into taxpayer-funded bailouts when we should be discussing why we aren't seeing the results we need from the billions in federal dollars that are already being spent."

Whether Boehner actually believes his own press releases is a matter worthy of debate, but either way, his arguments seem oddly detached from reality. Spending is "hurting our economy and stifling job creation"? In Grown-Up Land, spending rescued the economy and generated the strongest job creation in years.

Just as importantly, what does Boehner think the economic impact will be if 300,000 school teachers are forced from their jobs nationwide?

link

[Cha]

1. Yeah, I thought that was newsworthy..I just

posted the Steve Benen article in the BOG.

.."Democratic policymakers hope to do just that. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) are, with the White House's enthusiastic support, pushing the Keep Our Educators Working Act, which calls for $23 billion in emergency support to preserve these education jobs."

[Swede]

2. K&R

[girl gone mad]

3. I'm guessing the deficit terrorists will put a stop to this soon.

We will see just how long of a leash the White House is on.

[Tarheel_Dem]

4. Ah, right on cue.

:eyes:

[girl gone mad]

8. They'll blame it on Republican obstrucionism, no doubt.

It looks as if the script has already been written.

[Tarheel_Dem]

9. Thank you Madam girl gone mad. Tell me, what am I having for lunch tomorrow?

You should take your act on the road. :applause:

[girl gone mad]

10. Food. n/t

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. Then you're not psychic? OIC. (nt)

[Cha]

5. Good thing your guessing has nothing to do with it We have

dedicated leaders working on this important issue and they won't be deterred no matter how much the gNOp doesn't want it to happen.

[Jennicut]

6. Boner doesn't care about anything but obstructing, obviously

However, the most striking thing to me here is that Obama wants this. I have seen some arguments here on DU that Obama has not taken the right side on behalf of teachers. I think that is wrong and he is looking at things on a case by case basis at different schools.

[dumpdabaggers]

7. Cut 23 billion from defense and this is paid for.

NT