Political Quotes

“I want first to congratulate the chairman, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter], and the ranking member, the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey], on the fine work they have done on this very important piece of legislation. The amendment that I bring to the floor today is one in which we would require States to equalize their investment in public education within their State boundaries. We have seen sweeping the country now legislation and court orders in States really addressing this issue. In my home State of Pennsylvania, we have school districts in our rural communities where we are spending $3,500 a year per student, and we have other school districts where we are spending $16,000 a year per student. In Ohio, the Ohio Supreme Court has just ruled on the financing system in that State in which they spend $4,000 in the lower spending districts and $12,000 in the higher spending districts. We have seen all across the land, from Kentucky to Wyoming to New Jersey, this issue being raised. I wanted to raise it on the floor today because I think it is essential relative to our push for educational excellence in this country. Now, we know that money is not everything, but I think it is safe to assert that money matters.”