“As soon as today, California will have access to more than $1.2 billion dollars in emergency aid to help save education jobs – keeping our teachers in their classrooms and our students learning. This is great news for California’s struggling economy, and it’s a critical win for California’s families, teachers and students. This investment ensures California’s students do not become victims of this economy.
“Congress took decisive action earlier this month by returning to Washington for this important vote; prioritizing our teachers and recognizing the urgent needs of our students. Our schools have made real progress under President Obama and Education Secretary Duncan’s leadership, progress that we cannot afford to lose in the wake of this economic crisis.
“This is a significant step forward for our economic recovery, one of many this Congress will take to continue our reform efforts for our children and the future of this country.”
Pelosi and Miller have fought for almost a year for additional emergency aid to keep teachers in the classroom. Twice, the House passed funding to support teacher jobs, but Senate Republicans blocked the legislation from moving forward. Miller initially proposed a $23 billion dollar emergency “Education Jobs Fund” in late 2009.
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. For more information about Miller’s work on jobs, click here.
