David Obey Wants to Re-direct "Race to the Top" Funds to Save Teaching Jobs

[liskddksil]

A senior House Democrat proposed Wednesday to slice President Obama's Race to the Top fund and other school reform initiatives to help pay for a $10 billion measure to save education jobs.

The proposal by Rep. David R. Obey (Wis.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, would eliminate about $500 million from the $4.35 billion Race to the Top fund and another $300 million in other education programs through an amendment to a supplemental war spending bill.

The amendment, pending in the House Rules Committee, is still a long way from becoming law. But Obey's proposal crystallized a debate among Democrats about federal aid to schools. Some say it should be spread as widely as possible to alleviate local budget cuts. Others argue that a significant portion should be set aside for states and schools that are the most innovative.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...
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I'm glad house Democrats are taking action against this divisive program that pits states and school districts against each other and requires the implementation of untested and unproven reforms, inclusing merit pay, and more charter schools. According to the article Arne Duncan's spokesman as well as the pro-charter New Teacher Project are blasting this proposal. However, I believe it just makes more sense to spread the money widely so the jobs can be saved this coming school-year.

[Hannah Bell]

1. great idea. in fact, cut the whole damn program, & no child left behind as well.

[Catshrink]

8. +1000

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Goddam David Obey.

How DARE he suddenly decide to retire?

[liskddksil]

5. Maybe now he feels he can do what's right

because he doesn't care about the election.

[Jackpine Radical]

13. I never noticed him backing off from doing what he thought was right

in the past. I sure as hell haven't always agreed with him, but he has always plugged along voting his conscience. And the people around here, even many who disagreed with him on almost everything, kept voting for him for his principled stands.

[smoogatz]

9. +1000

He's been a real champion for Wisconsin--and from a pretty dang conservative part of the state. A shame he's calling it quits.

[Jackpine Radical]

14. I'm not betting heavily on retaining the 7th.

I'm not overwhelmed by Lassa.

[stlsaxman]

3. hope he's successful.

[Oregone]

4. Maybe too late in many places this year

District I grew up to just finish laying off a slew of teachers (some ol friends of mine that attended that district with me)

[LWolf]

12. It's too late in any state whose budget had to be set today.

My district didn't lay anyone off. Instead we took some huge pay cuts and day cuts (which are also pay cuts) to avoid layoffs. If more funding comes in, the days will be added back, then the pay cuts will be reversed, depending on how MUCH funding comes in.

So this would help us.

We laid off about 50 a year ago, which is why we didn't want to RIF anyone else.

[Donnachaidh]

6. link's not working. n/t

[liskddksil]

7. New Link

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Yes!!!

I don't always agree with Obey but he's exactly right on this.

[LWolf]

11. Republicans and pro-privatization and union-busting Dems oppose this proposal.

Teachers and pro-public education Dems support it.

It's telling that Duncan sides with Rs when it comes to RTTT.

They don't want anything to slow down the privatization-union busting agenda.

[liskddksil]

15. and so does the White House

The Obama administration threatened to veto the House version of a war-funding bill because it would rescind $800 million in education funding to help finance $10 billion in state aid to prevent teacher layoffs.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-01/obama-threa...
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Thankfully David Obey "did not come here to be Arne Duncan's Congressman." I think he's my new hero.

[LWolf]

16. Yes.

Obama is fully in favor of privatization, union-busting, and the destruction of public education. Which is why he appointed Duncan to begin with.

It's also a big part of why I've never been a fan.