Congresswoman Scanlon Cosponsors Bills to Invest in America’s Schools
Washington, DC,
May 13, 2019
– Today, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon announces her co-sponsorship of several pieces of legislation to invest in our nation’s schools. “When we discuss our need to invest more money in infrastructure, that conversation cannot be limited to our roads and bridges,” Congresswoman Scanlon said. “Our nation’s schools need significant infrastructure investment, too. Our students and teachers deserve to learn and teach in buildings that are safe and conducive to a 21st century learning environment. We must make this investment a national priority by passing legislation like the Rebuild America’s Schools Act, fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), and Title I.” The Rebuild America's Schools Act would invest $100 billion in America’s public schools. This Act would fund $70 billion in grants and $30 billion in bonds to help address critical physical and digital infrastructure needs in schools across the country. According to economic projections, the bill would also create more than 1.9 million good-paying jobs. The IDEA Full Funding Act is bipartisan legislation that would fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a commitment Congress has not made since the Act’s introduction in 1975. The IDEA ensures that every child with a disability has access to educational opportunity. This bill would support its full funding from Congress providing necessary financial support to school districts. The Keep Our PACT Act would ensure that Title I is fully funded. Title I provides critical financial assistance to our nation’s most challenged schools. This program, however, has been grossly underfunded over the last decade to the tune of $347 billion, according to Reclaim Our Schools. “Just last month, I had the opportunity to tour local schools in our district where I saw the need for these investments first hand. There was lead paint chipping off the walls, creating dust and debris on the floor that requires daily clean up. Pennsylvania is one of the many states that suffer from an unfair education funding formula. This legislation would lessen the financial burden on local school districts.” ### |
