Dianne Feinstein: “as we debate the priorities for spending in the federal budget for the next fiscal year, I am pleased to have voted…”

“as we debate the priorities for spending in the federal budget for the next fiscal year, I am pleased to have voted yesterday for the Bingaman education amendment. Unfortunately, the Senate tabled this amendment yesterday by a 54 to 46 vote. This amendment begins to address some of the critical needs of our schools. But more importantly, it says, ``We think education is important. We think education is a priority. We think education should be nourished, not starved.'' This amendment adds important resources in several ways: It supports the $4.5 billion or 12.6 percent increase for education that the President proposed for FY 2001 over the previous year. It adds $1 billion for Title I, the program that helps school districts educate disadvantaged students. If Congress follows through with FY 2001 appropriations, this would bring total Title I funding next year to $9.9 billion, up from $8.5 billion in FY 2000. It adds $2 billion to train new teachers and current teachers. It provides $1.75 billion to continue to reduce class sizes in the early grades. It increases funds for afterschool programs to give students extra help. It provides $1.3 billion to repair schools in high-need areas. It adds $1 billion for special education, programs to help disabled students. It raises the maximum Pell Grant, aid for needy college students, from $3,500 to $3,700.”