Yesterday in the New York Times:
"House Democrats said Monday that they would try to pass an economic recovery bill costing $400 billion to $500 billion next month as governors pressed Congress for money to build roads and bridges, provide health care to low-income people and develop alternative sources of energy." ("Democrats in House Plan a Package of Up to $500 Billion to Help State," 12/01/08)
Today, governors from forty states met with President-elect Obama to outline what they need from the federal government. From the Seattle PI website:
"The governors want Obama to provide at least $40 billion to help pay for health care for the poor and disabled and even more for infrastructure projects like road and bridge repair.
"National Governors Association Chairman Ed Rendell, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, said the governors are also pressing for perhaps $136 billion in infrastructure projects like road and bridge repairs in the legislation, which Democrats hope to have ready for Obama's signature as soon as he takes office on Jan. 20." ("Obama seeks to assure nervous governors on economy," 12/02/08)
- Roads and bridges - Excellent
- Healthcare for low-income folks - Superb
- Alternative sources of energy - Who could argue?
There is one element of states' budgets that is conspicuously absent from articles that cover this economic recovery program: education. These talks are, of course, preliminary, but the lack of any discussion about funding education is quite distressing. Furthermore, any bill with this price tag is sure to meet with fierce resistance from house Republicans, and this democratic congress's record on pushing legislation through is very weak.
This development outlines the need for students, staff, and faculty to organize in order to make our voices heard. However, we must put forward a program ensuring that funding education does not detract from programs that provide good jobs, medical care, and social programs.
Related Articles
- http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008457577_govs02.html
- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/01/AR2008120102622.html
- http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/washington/02states.html?scp=4&sq=economic%20recovery&st=cse
- http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1151ap_obama_governors.html
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment