Jack Reed: “I support final passage of S. 250, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006. This…”

“I support final passage of S. 250, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006. This important legislation, which reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998, will help strengthen both the workforce in my home State of Rhode Island and across the Nation and ensure that our students have the necessary skills and tools to access high-quality, high-wage employment and compete in an ever-expanding global economy. I am pleased that Congress will reaffirm its overwhelming bipartisan and bicameral support for this program, especially in light of the President's efforts in his last two budget proposals to eliminate funding for Perkins. For the 2006-2007 school year, our State, which is home to 10 Career and Technical Centers and 54 high schools and colleges offering career and technical education programs, would stand to lose an estimated $6.3 million in Perkins basic state and tech prep funding under the President's proposed budget. These cuts are unjustifiable, especially at a time when it is ever more critical that we provide a robust link between students and a highly skilled workforce American business depends on to thrive.…”