Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) today voted to save and create nearly 320,000 jobs -- including saving the jobs of 160,000 teachers and preventing the layoffs of tens of thousands of police officers, firefighters, and nurses. The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act is not only completely paid for, it reduces the deficit by $1.4 billion over 10 years--through spending cuts and by closing a loophole that encourages corporations to ship American jobs overseas.
"Many communities in Wisconsin are being forced to choose between important public services," said Rep. Kind. "This bill changes that. "Our kids shouldn't have to wait for a full economic recovery to receive a quality education."
The legislation provides $10 billion in funding to save more than 160,000 teacher jobs nationwide. The bill is expected to fund approximately 3,000 K-12 jobs in the state and 284 K-12 jobs in western Wisconsin alone, according to the National Education Association. It also provides $16.1 billion in health assistance to the states that, by reducing shortfalls and stimulating the economy, will save and create 158,000 jobs, including preventing the layoffs of police officers and firefighters. More than half these jobs will be in the private sector, including workers who contract for or supply services to state and local governments.
"This bill is good for our teachers, public servants and middle class families," said Rep. Kind. "It creates jobs, keeps our communities safe, ensures quality education in our schools and is fiscally responsible by reducing the deficit through spending reductions in the budget."
The funding in the bill is supported by a majority of the nation's Governors, including many Republican Governors, and by numerous organizations, including the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Counties and the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations.