George Voinovich: “I rise today to make it very clear to my colleagues that I do not oppose constructing new schools. In fact, I firmly…”

“I rise today to make it very clear to my colleagues that I do not oppose constructing new schools. In fact, I firmly believe that more schools should be built, replaced, repaired, and renovated in the United States of America. I suspect there are few people in this country who have done as much as I have to make that happen. Earlier this month, I was in Cleveland, OH, to campaign for a $380 million local school construction bond and levy initiative. That money would be used to leverage $500 million from the State of Ohio. Last week, the voters of Cleveland passed that bond and levy by a margin of 3 to 2. They voted to tax themselves in order to help build, replace, and repair over 100 schools throughout the Cleveland School District. The citizens of Cleveland know that school construction is a State and local responsibility. But I am concerned about the Federal Government telling State and local officials they have to spend Federal resources on school construction instead of spending it on education priorities they have determined. Localities should have the freedom to invest their dollars in the greatest needs, whether it is teachers, computers, or textbooks, and not be locked in. We also need to consider the fairness factor. Many of our States have committed themselves in a very major way to school construction programs.…”