Davis: Spending Bill Good News for Federal Employees, D.C. Region

Davis: Spending Bill Good News for Federal Employees, D.C. Region

Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said today he was pleased the House of Representatives stood up for all federal workers and District of Columbia students in the FY 2008 Financial Services appropriations bill that passed today.

The bill paves the way for an equal 3.5 percent pay raise, or "pay parity," for civilian and military employees, something Davis has pushed relentlessly over the years.

"As we fight the war on terrorism at home and abroad, both the Armed Services and the federal civilian workforce must work to provide Americans with the government and protection they deserve, and both should be compensated accordingly," Davis aid.

Davis also applauded the bill's focus on improving educational opportunities for students in the nation's capital.

"The House recognized that D.C. students are taking advantage of some exciting innovations to learn more, achieve more and contribute more to society," said Davis. "We need more of these innovations, not less."

The legislation provides $35.1 million in funding for the D.C. College Access program, a program Davis created which enables graduates of District high schools to attend colleges around the nation at in-state rates. The program has led to a doubling, in less than five years, of the percentage of D.C. Public Schools grads who go on to college.

The legislation also appropriates $14.8 million for the Washington Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for underprivileged children in failing DCPS schools. So far, 1,800 students in 58 DCPS schools have participated in the program, and thousands more families are on a waiting list. Moreover, studies have found a high level of parent satisfaction, as well as increased parent and student involvement in schools, as a result of the program.

"These programs send the signal that residents of the District don't have to move out to find good educational opportunities," said Davis. "I support Mayor Adrian Fenty's bold package of reforms. But they are unproven. These reforms are proven. And I'm glad the House has seen their usefulness and funded them appropriately."

The legislation also appropriates $13 million for D.C. Public Schools and $13 million for charter schools, in keeping with the recent tradition of an even split among the three sectors. In addition, it places public charter schools under the control of the D.C. Public Charter School Board.

"The Washington region has a vital interest in fostering the streamlined responsibility, empowerment of parents, faster school renovations, spending controls, consolidation of functions, creation of the new charter Board and the interagency collaboration necessary to get D.C.'s failing schools on the right track," Davis said. "In the meantime, though, we need to continue to present choices to parents whose children are stuck in failing schools."

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