Political Quotes

“this evening we are taking a special order to talk about the number-one unfunded mandate from the Federal Government to the States and to local school districts. Twenty-three years ago, the Congress made the historic decision to support children and families with special education needs. In passing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Congress not only brought Federal aid to children with disabilities but it also brought a 100 percent mandate as to how you will spend that money. Just 2 years ago, Congress and the administration worked together in true bipartisan fashion to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or better known as special ed, so children with special needs can have more options and services. I might add at this point that we are still waiting, 2 years later, for the regulations that are supposed to go with this legislation which certainly would help local school districts to know exactly what is expected of them. Unfortunately, the administration has again backed away from the Federal commitment to adequately fund special education. This is the second year in a row that the administration has cut special education funding in the budget that they have sent up to Capitol Hill.”