Robert Torricelli: “I believe these have been a very productive few weeks in the Senate. I am very proud of the institution and how, on a…”

“I believe these have been a very productive few weeks in the Senate. I am very proud of the institution and how, on a bipartisan basis, it has put differences aside and found common ground in dealing with the educational problems of our country. In adopting the Dodd amendment on title I, for the first time we are guaranteeing that poor school districts will receive 100 percent of their title I funding. What a remarkable statement by this institution. Currently, there are districts in our country that are receiving a third or a quarter of that to which they are entitled, imposing an enormous burden on local school districts. We adopted the Harkin amendment to meet our Federal commitment to special education by guaranteeing $181 billion over the next 10 years. In 1975, when IDEA was created, the Federal Government promised to pay 40 percent of the special education needs. Last year, it paid 13 percent. These are two remarkable positions by this institution in which every Senator should take great pride. Blocking school voucher amendments stated our commitment to the public school system on an uncompromised basis.”