James M. Jeffords: “I rise in support of the amendment of the Senator from Oregon. I think it is an excellent one. He has been an outspoken…”

“I rise in support of the amendment of the Senator from Oregon. I think it is an excellent one. He has been an outspoken proponent of regulatory flexibility and I am certainly glad to add my name as a cosponsor. My colleagues may remember that this amendment, or one similar to it, was passed when we were on a similar bill sometime ago. Let us just hope that this time it will get enacted into law. The amendment before us allows six States to be designated as ed-flex partnership States. These States would be given authority to waive specific Federal regulations within their State for local education. I think it is incredible, as we go forward, to fully understand that we have laid out for ourselves a schedule which will be very, very difficult to meet if we are to try to solve the problems of education by the year 2000. So we are going to need the most flexibility, at least in respect to allowing some States, through their own means, without the hindrance of regulation, to be able to establish programs and plans and curricula and whatever else they need in order to make sure that we have a chance at accomplishing the goals which we have set out. So I am very pleased to be a cosponsor and look forward to supporting this amendment in conference.”