Post by psychecc on Aug 13, 2010 14:31:15 GMT -6
Obama signs emergency bill to halt teacher layoffs
By Rebecca Kimitch Staff Writer
Posted: 08/10/2010 08:53:11 PM PDT
More than $3 billion in federal aid is expected to head California's way after House Democrats passed, and President Barack Obama signed, an emergency $26 billion bill Tuesday they say will save 320,000 jobs nationally.
The funding is directed at education and Medicaid programs, known as MediCal in California.
Lawmakers streamed back to Washington in the middle of their summer recess for a one-day session - an urgency deemed necessary before children return to classrooms minus teachers laid off because of budgetary crises in states hard-hit by the recession.
"The intent is to get it out as quickly as possible to avert layoffs occurring as we speak," said Rep. Judy Chu, D-El Monte.
Republicans saw it differently, calling the bill a giveaway to teachers' unions and an example of wasteful Washington spending that voters will punish the Democrats for in fall elections. The legislation was approved mainly along party lines by a vote of 247-161.
"Everything that Americans have come to hate about how their government works - the waste, the ineptitude, the cynicism, the lack of accountability, the utter disregard for the concerns of taxpayers - it's all very vividly on display here today," said Rep. David Dreier, R-San Dimas.
The legislation provides $10 billion to school districts to rehire laid-off teachers or to ensure that more teachers won't be let go before the new school year begins.
Here's the link for the rest:
www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15737239
By Rebecca Kimitch Staff Writer
Posted: 08/10/2010 08:53:11 PM PDT
More than $3 billion in federal aid is expected to head California's way after House Democrats passed, and President Barack Obama signed, an emergency $26 billion bill Tuesday they say will save 320,000 jobs nationally.
The funding is directed at education and Medicaid programs, known as MediCal in California.
Lawmakers streamed back to Washington in the middle of their summer recess for a one-day session - an urgency deemed necessary before children return to classrooms minus teachers laid off because of budgetary crises in states hard-hit by the recession.
"The intent is to get it out as quickly as possible to avert layoffs occurring as we speak," said Rep. Judy Chu, D-El Monte.
Republicans saw it differently, calling the bill a giveaway to teachers' unions and an example of wasteful Washington spending that voters will punish the Democrats for in fall elections. The legislation was approved mainly along party lines by a vote of 247-161.
"Everything that Americans have come to hate about how their government works - the waste, the ineptitude, the cynicism, the lack of accountability, the utter disregard for the concerns of taxpayers - it's all very vividly on display here today," said Rep. David Dreier, R-San Dimas.
The legislation provides $10 billion to school districts to rehire laid-off teachers or to ensure that more teachers won't be let go before the new school year begins.
Here's the link for the rest:
www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15737239