WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today issued the following statement in response to Governor Schwarzenegger's decision to withhold $1.2 billion in federal school jobs grants for the state of California. Miller fought for almost a year for additional aid to keep teachers in the classroom, funding that Congress approved last month in a rare emergency session.
"By withholding $1.2 billion in education funding, the governor is depriving California students, teachers and aides of critical resources just as they're returning to the classroom. California's struggling economy needs this money to ensure that our children don't become victims of Wall Street's scandals, and to continue the education reform efforts of President Obama and Secretary Duncan. The Schwarzenegger administration is proving to be an unreliable partner in our efforts to reform California schools. The governor is playing politics with California schools, putting 16,500 teacher jobs at risk and jeopardizing the future of millions of students. I urge him to sign this legislation, which will distribute the badly needed funding."
Miller has been a staunch advocate for education funding for America's schools. He initially proposed a $23 billion dollar emergency “Education Jobs Fund” in late 2009. Twice, the House passed funding to support teacher jobs, but Senate Republicans blocked the legislation from moving forward. Miller also authored the Local Jobs for America Act, introduced in March, which would help create and save public and private sector jobs and restore vital services in local communities.
Miller has been a staunch advocate for education funding for America's schools. He initially proposed a $23 billion dollar emergency “Education Jobs Fund” in late 2009. Twice, the House passed funding to support teacher jobs, but Senate Republicans blocked the legislation from moving forward. Miller also authored the Local Jobs for America Act, introduced in March, which would help create and save public and private sector jobs and restore vital services in local communities.
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