Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today, along with my colleagues Senator Kerry of Massachusetts, Senator Harkin of Iowa, Senator Begich of Alaska, and Senator Johnson of South Dakota, I am introducing legislation to extend and improve two important programs that create good jobs and help our nation's schools. In order for America to out- innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world, we must begin with our schools, and this legislation will make it easier to create spaces where 21st century learning can occur. The Qualified School Construction Bond, QSCB, and Qualified Zone Academy Bond, QZAB, programs have helped schools begin to address their construction and renovation needs, as well as creating construction jobs in their communities. Because of the tax credit associated with these bonds, the schools essentially do not have to pay interest which makes it much easier for them to fund their significant construction and renovation needs. The Qualified School Construction Bond program was created in 2009, and bond proceeds can be used for construction, rehabilitation, or repair of a public school or for land for a facility. The total amount of bonds allowed was $11 billion in 2009 and $11 billion in 2010. This national allocation is distributed by formula to the states and larger school districts. West Virginia, for example, was able to issue its full allocation of $72.3 million in bonds in 2010. Construction workers in West Virginia are building schools for their children.…”