Chairman Miller Highlights Details of Economic Recovery Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today highlighted key provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that will provide vital aid to children, students and workers, create jobs, and get the economy moving forward again. (Click here for school district information ») The House Appropriations Committee released full details of the legislation this morning.
“With our economy worsening by the day, bold and strategic investments are needed to jumpstart our economy and drive long-term growth and competitiveness,” said Miller. “This remarkable effort will get Americans back to work quickly, strengthen educational opportunities for our children, and fuel innovation. Together, with President-elect Obama, we are moving quickly to build a 21st economy and strengthen our nation’s middle class.”
At a recent forum convened by Democratic lawmakers, a bipartisan panel of economists and scientists urged Congress to enact an economic recovery package that creates jobs, helps states facing severe budget gaps maintain important programs, and spurs long-term economic development.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will meet those goals, helping create or save up to 4 million jobs – more than 90 percent of which will be private sector – over two years and strengthening the nation’s competitiveness.
Miller highlighted key provisions in the package that fall under the Education and Labor Committee’s jurisdiction, including:
- School modernization: $20 billion to repair, renovate, modernize public schools and colleges and universities, including technology updates;
- Economic stabilization fund to provide relief to states: $79 billion to help states restore cuts to funding for early childhood, K-12, higher education and other vital programs;
- Aid for college students: $15.6 billion to increase the maximum Pell Grant scholarship by $500, for a maximum of $5350 in 2009 and $5550 in 2010;
- A strong, green workforce: $4 billion for job training to help get adult and dislocated back to work, create one million summer jobs for youth, and prepare workers for green jobs and other emerging industries;
- Extended unemployment benefits: $27 billion to continue the current extended unemployment benefits program – which provides up to 33 weeks of extended benefits - through 2009; and
- Health care for the unemployed: $30.3 billion to extend COBRA health insurance coverage to the unemployed, extending the period of COBRA coverage for older and tenured workers.
The bill will also be completely transparent and accountable to the American public, so that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and are track-able online.
For a fact sheet with full details on the provisions under the House Education and Labor Committee’s jurisdiction, click here.
To view the full package released by the House Appropriations Committee today, click here.
For more specific information prepared by the Congressional Research Service which estimates the amount of education funding that each school district will receive from certain aspects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment bill, click here.
For more information on last week’s economic forum, click here.
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