As Sen. Mitch McConnell of KY leads the Republican stall and gut effort on the Stimulus Bill, KY teachers are facing a round of layoffs! What was a possible 2-3% reduction in school funding is growing to 6-7%, which would require an immediate down-sizing of KY teachers state-wide.
Yet, according to Talking Points Memo
Among the biggest cuts under discussion: $24.8 billion in state stabilization money for education, which was intended to plug existing budget holes; $15 billion in state incentive grants for education; and $1.4 billion for the National Science Foundation, which is wracked by a porn-viewership flap. Pell Grants were the biggest program to survive the debate over cuts, with $13.9 billion staying intact.
Mitch McConnell and Jim Buning need to be asked why they are not supporting the education of KY children and are pushing to have KY teachers laid off. KY unemployment is at 7.8%, and they want to add to that?
Action Item below the fold with phone numbers. Yes, we need to make MORE calls, but we're good at that.:)
We need to contact Senators Mitch McConnell, Jim Bunning, Harry Reid, Nelson and Collins to demand they put the State Stabilization Money for EDUCATION MONEY BACK IN! If this money stays in, it would prevent the need for teacher lay-offs in KY, and probably other states are in the same shape. And, I am beyond outraged that they are calling these parts of the bill, "welfare programs!"
These jokers need to hear that we understand that it will be their fault when teachers lose their jobs and they need to be asked why they aren't supporting the education of American children.
Please call, today. Tell them you want the State Stabilization Money for Education put back in.
Contact Information:
KY Senators
Mitch McConnell Phone: (202) 224-2541 (Minority Leader)
Jim Bunning (202) 224-4343
Senators leading the cut in Education Funding to States:
Susan Collins (202) 224-2523
Ben Nelson (202) 224-6551
Senate Leader
Harry Reid 202-224-3542
White House 202-456-1111 (Comments – message line)
202-456-1414 Switchboard