Polis Statement on Trump/DeVos Education Budget
Trump budget diverts public resources to vouchers and private schools
WASHINGTON: Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., gave the following statement today after President Trump released his Fiscal Year 2018 Budget that included massive cuts to public education.
"The destructive funding proposals only further inequities in education. The budget would take precious Title I dollars, our program to support our neediest students and schools, and re-direct them to wealthier schools and unaccountable private schools. Moreover, the budget undermines innovative programs and flies in the face of Congressional intent by re-routing funds for locally-driven education programs to a federally controlled voucher program for private schools, and drastically cuts funding to support our public school teachers. The budget also eliminates funding for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, leaving the hardworking public and non-profit professionals, including teachers, high and dry after they put in years of work under the program with an agreement from the federal government that their student loans will be forgiven.”
“I'd like Secretary DeVos and President Trump to look at students, parents, and public school teachers in the eye and explain to them why they won't uphold their end of the deal."
"I call on every member of Congress to denounce this destructive budget immediately. We need a bipartisan effort to fund a 21st-century public education system that helps both teachers and students excel in the classroom and builds a better future for our nation,” Polis said.
Polis serves on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. He is the top Democrat on the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee and a member of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee.
Polis is a former Chair of the Colorado State Board of Education, and the founder and former superintendent of The New America School - a network of charters schools in several states serving new immigrants and English-language learners - as well as the Academy for Urban Learning for homeless and at-risk youth. He was one of seven House Democrats chosen to serve on the conference committee to reauthorize the Elementary Student Succeeds Act. The district he represents includes Colorado State University, University of Colorado, and several community colleges.
Press Contact
Michael Sparks, (202) 503-7569
Next Article Previous Article