DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS AND EDUCATION ADVOCATES PRAISE EARLY SUCCESSES OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

Democratic Legislators and Education Advocates Praise Early Successes of the Obama Administration

After only three months in office, President’s policies are providing real, immediate results in New Jersey

HAMILTON – Gathered in front of Hamilton High School West on Wednesday afternoon, Democratic State Chairman and Assemblyman Joe Cryan, Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo and Barbara Keshishian, NJEA vice president, highlighted the importance of more than $609 million in stimulus funds that will go towards funding education for at-risk and special needs students.  

“New Jersey families have been struggling. The Obama Administration inherited a terrible mess: a $1.3 trillion deficit, two wars, rising unemployment and unprecedented economic and fiscal crises,” said Cryan. “Yet, as bad as things are, President Obama has made considerable progress on the many things he promised during his campaign and New Jersey families are seeing the results.”

The stimulus funds are just one example of the many ways President Obama’s policies are already benefiting New Jersey families. The event recognized the early accomplishments of President Obama’s Administration and focused on upcoming efforts by the President and Congressional Democrats to move forward the Administration’s agenda on jumpstarting our economy, health care reform, a new comprehensive energy policy and education.

Since his inauguration, President Obama has:
•    Passed an economic recovery package that gives a tax cut to 95 percent of Americans and will save or create three to four million jobs across the country, including 100,000 right here in New Jersey.  
•    He signed the Lilly Ledbetter Act which makes it illegal for men and women to be paid differently for the same job, which means parents in New Jersey will finally receive equal pay for equal work.  
•    He put responsible science and technological innovation ahead of ideology by lifting the ban on federal funding for potentially life-saving stem cell research.  
•    He passed legislation to enhance the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and expand coverage to an additional 4 million children, bringing to 11 million the number of children covered under SCHIP. 116,000 additional children will be covered in New Jersey.
•    And he worked with Democrats in Congress to pass a budget blueprint that invests in America’s future by making bold investments in healthcare, education and renewable energy.

“What President Obama has accomplished since taking office just three short months ago is extraordinary,” added Cryan.  “Most importantly, he’s given people hope that we are on the right path and will emerge from these challenges stronger than before.”

New Jersey is already seeing real, immediate results from President Obama’s policies.  The event today at Hamilton High School West pointed to the $609 million for Title I and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) funding New Jersey will receive as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The State’s allocations under Title I are approximately $238 million while the State’s IDEA allocations total $371 million.  

Hamilton Township, the eight largest school district in the state with more than 13,000 enrolled students, will receive $1,153,217 in Title I funding, $3,410,082 in IDEA funding, along with an additional $13,072 for IDEA preschool funding.

“In these tough economic times, school districts, like everyone else, are finding it difficult to make their budgets,” said Greenstein. “Fortunately, the stimulus bill signed by President Obama is the largest investment in education in our nation’s history, and these funds will now enable schools to keep high-quality teachers in their classrooms, make critical improvements and support education for at-risk students and those with disabilities.”

“We applaud the vision and courage of President Obama and all who have made the bold decision to invest in our future by investing in public education,” said Keshishian. “By designating funds to each state specifically to prevent layoffs in our public schools, the bill sends a strong message that the education of our children should remain a high priority even in the most challenging economic circumstances.”

The event also highlighted the important ways Democrats here in New Jersey have been making sure all students receive a quality education, including the new groundbreaking school funding formula.  The new funding formula is equitable, balanced and non partisan, giving students—regardless of where they live—the educational resources they need to succeed.

Hamilton Township schools have received in influx of an additional $15.9 million in state aid the past two years because of the school funding formula reforms.

“We’re making sure all New Jersey children receive the top-notch education that they deserve and that prepares them for competing in the 21st century global workforce,” said DeAngelo. “Education is the backbone on which we must rebuild a strong, vital economy. President Obama’s policies along with the help of Democrats in Congress and the Legislature are helping move our country forward and on the road back to long-term economic prosperity.”

“Thankfully, we have a President and Democratic leaders in Congress and in the state Legislature who are committed to following through with the change we voted for when New Jersey voters went to the polls in record numbers in November,” added DeAngelo. Democrats are willing to make the tough decisions to get our country and our state moving in the right direction. I’m confident that in the coming weeks and months, President Obama will continue to work for middle-class families here in New Jersey as we rebuild our economy.”

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