Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act. This bill will supply much needed fiscal relief to Rhode Island, providing $33 million in education funding to prevent hundreds of teacher layoffs, as well as $70 million in Federal Medicaid funding that will help the state close a significant budgetary gap. While Congress has taken unprecedented actions over the past two years to avert a full economic depression and put our country back on the path of positive economic growth, the recovery has been slow and painful. This is particularly true in Rhode Island, which has the fourth highest unemployment rate in the country at 12 percent. Rhode Islanders are still struggling to find jobs; and we are finally beginning to see glimmers of hope in a still fragile economy. We simply cannot afford to lay off more dedicated workers, create longer unemployment lines and slash social services at a time when people need them the most. This legislation includes $10 billion in emergency support to school districts and ensures that states use these funds for the preservation of jobs serving elementary and secondary education. It is anticipated that the $33 million in funding to Rhode Island will save 500 education jobs. Investing in our children's education not only has long-term benefits to our economy, but it also delivers on our nation's promise to ensure that all individuals have an equal opportunity to succeed.…”