Kuhl: Congress Needs to Hear From You Directly About the Severity of the Energy Crisis in Our Schools

Press Release

Kuhl: Congress needs to hear from you directly about the severity of the energy crisis in our schools

U.S. Representative John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. (R-NY) today announced the availability of a new online survey that will allow school officials, parents, teachers, and community members to share stories about how high energy prices are impacting New York schools. The Back to School Energy Survey will gather critical information about how schools are coping with rising fuel costs, and provide Congress with an important new resource as it works to respond to America's growing energy crisis.

"Schools around the nation are struggling to cope with the skyrocketing cost of energy. USA Today recently reported that nearly one in seven schools is considering cutting back to four-day weeks this fall. One in four schools is considering limiting athletics and other extracurricular activities, and nearly one in three is eliminating teaching jobs," said Rep. Kuhl.

To help understand the scope of this problem, Congressman Kuhl joined his House Republican colleagues today to launch a unique web-based survey focused on how high energy prices will impact the coming school year. Housed by the Education & Labor Committee, of which Rep. Kuhl is a member, this survey will collect information from school officials, teachers, families, and communities to determine the extent of the energy crisis in our schools - input that will be provided to both parties this fall to encourage decisive action by Congress to increase production of American energy to lower fuel costs.

Since being elected to Congress in 2004, Kuhl has served on the Committee on Education and Labor and on two education subcommittees, the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee and the Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness Subcommittee. Prior to being elected to Congress, Kuhl served as the former Chair of the New York State Senate's Committee on Education.

"This survey provides a forum for Congress to hear the stories about how the escalation in gas prices has affected families around the nation. I urge every member of the 29th District to log on and share your story," said Rep. Kuhl. "Congress needs to hear from you directly about the severity of the energy crisis in our schools, and we need to get serious about enacting a comprehensive energy plan that lowers the cost of gasoline and protects our environment."

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