Owens Bill Seeks Education Investment
With a government surplus some peg as high as $100 billion, Rep. Major Owens (D-N.Y.) wants Congress to devote a large chunk of this money to education.
"Washington is bloated with rhetoric about education reform," says the Congressional Black Caucus member. "But when we examine the actual programs and projects being proposed, there is a tremendous shortfall between the giant needs and the tiny proposed solutions."
Owens' new bill, H.R. 1820, would change that trend in a major way — through $22 billion in annual education aid. His plan would provide funds to states based on their percentage of the nation's school-age population. Top priorities for funds would go to school repairs, construction and modernization to accommodate new technology, enrollment increases, and student safety issues.
The nation's schools need about $112 billion just for repairs, Owens says, plus additional funds to deal with burgeoning enrollments.
"The opportunity to learn begins with a safe, conducive school building," he says.
Owens' plan joins dozens of other reform efforts during a year in which Republican leaders say little new money may be available for education programs because of budget caps on domestic spending. H.R. 1820 was referred to the Education and the Workforce Committee.
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