Senate passes bill to save teacher, police jobs

[ProSense]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Legislation long sought by Democrats to prevent layoffs of tens of thousands of teachers, police and other public workers has passed the Senate.

The bill would help states and local school boards deal with severe budget problems. It would preserve the jobs of perhaps 300,000 public employees across the country by extending programs in last year's stimulus law. It passed 61-39 Thursday, after months of blocking tactics by Republicans.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling House lawmakers back to Washington next week from their summer vacation to cast the final votes to deliver the bill to President Barack Obama.

Unlike the stimulus bill, the $26 billion measure wouldn't increase the budget deficit since it's paid for with spending cuts and tax increases on U.S. companies operating overseas.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100805/ap_on_bi_ge/us_jobs_bill_16

[SecularMotion]

1. Senate approves jobs bill to stop teacher layoffs

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Legislation long sought by Democrats to save the jobs of 300,000 teachers, police and other public workers passed the Senate on Thursday.

The 61-39 vote — to be followed by a rush vote next week in the House — should come in time for many school districts to revisit decisions to lay off teachers before the new school year because of severe budget troubles.

The Senate vote was a hard-earned but partial victory for President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies.

It caps months of effort by governors of both parties, public employee unions and others seeking to extend programs enacted in last year's economic stimulus law. That measure provided budget relief to states and local school districts hurt by slumping tax revenues as the U.S. economy has struggled to emerge from recession.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ibkvUXhJ5N4Gt8aysY7y8S62PyFwD9HDEQIG0

[theoldman]

2. I am very much in favor of saving these jobs.

We may need a wakeup call so people will learn how important these jobs are. I am guessing that most of the jobs saved are in Republican areas and they are the ones who voted against the legislation.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Phew

Great news!

[DesertDiamond]

3. Am I dreaming this?? Has something sane actually be done??

[TomCADem]

5. Senate approves jobs bill to stop teacher layoffs

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Congress is moving rapidly just weeks before the start of the school year to speed billions of dollars in emergency education aid to states in hopes of reversing the layoffs of tens of thousands of teachers.

Some $10 billion in aid to school districts is set to flow after a 61-39 Senate vote Thursday — to be followed quickly by a House vote next week — in hopes that it will come in time for many school districts to reconsider teacher layoffs.

Thursday's vote was a hard-earned but partial victory for Democrats and President Barack Obama. Advocates said it could save the jobs of up to 300,000 teachers, police and other public workers.

The measure would provide another $16 billion to help states fund their Medicaid budgets — and therefore free money for other budget priorities such as avoiding tax increases and preserving the jobs of state employees. About three-fifths of state governments have already factored in the federal help when drawing up budgets for the ongoing fiscal year.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100805/ap_on_bi_ge/us_jobs_bill

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I know there is a narrative being pushed that President Obama and Democrats are not supporting pulic education and teachers. But, as you will note, almost everyone who voted against the bill to save the jobs of thousands of teachers was a Republican. Yet, I doubt this will stop the narrative that public teachers and unions are abondoning and being abandoned by the Democrats.

I guess for those who are fooled by the corporate media narrative, we may all find out whether teachers, public employees, unions, etc., fare better under a Republican ruled Congress.

Remember boys and girls, the only way a progressive gets air time on the corporate media is if they attack Democrats or the Obama administration, and give Republicans and corporations a free pass.