Rubén Hinojosa: “that we even have to debate the need for school modernization defies logic. Some congressional issues are simply nothing…”

“that we even have to debate the need for school modernization defies logic. Some congressional issues are simply nothing more than common sense, and this issue is one. For years now, Democrats have been trying to enact a meaningful school modernization initiative. When I came to Congress in 1997, I joined these efforts and cosponsored legislation to address this crisis. But we have been consistently blocked by the majority. America's children are ultimately the victims of this disregard. It boils down to two crucial points, crumbling schools and overcrowding. Quite simply, our schools are run down and out of room. Conditions are so poor that we would have to spend $112 billion to make the basic repairs needed. The Public School Modernization Act of 1999 would help local communities meet that $122 billion backlog in school modernization needs documented by the nonpartisan General Accounting Office. Ultimately, it is about ensuring that our children get safe, clean, and modern schools.”