American Federation of Teachers Endorses Lautenberg for Re-Election
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recently
announced its endorsement of Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) for re-election,
citing his years of work in the United States Senate on behalf of teachers in
New Jersey and across the country."Frank Lautenberg has been good for the citizens of New Jersey, good for education and we need to send him back to Washington to continue his good work," said Nicholas Yovnello, Chair of AFT New Jersey, which represents 38,000 members in education and health care in New Jersey and is the New Jersey affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers.
"I have always been proud to stand strong with our teachers, so I am honored to have the support of the American Federation of Teachers and its members. The Bush Administration has been no friend to the teaching profession, but these men and women know I'll stand strong as their ally in the U.S. Senate and do everything I can to support them," said Sen. Lautenberg.
Listed below are some programs and initiatives Sen. Lautenberg has taken action on:
Student Loans -- Sen. Lautenberg voted to make college more affordable by cutting interest rates on student loans and increasing loan forgiveness for public employees including teachers.
Pell Grants -- Sen. Lautenberg voted to increase the maximum Pell grant to $5,400 in the next five years.
Public School Funding -- Public schools should not be forced to have overcrowded classrooms and neglected buildings. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Lautenberg helped craft a bill working its way through Congress with more than $600 million in additional federal education funding this year alone.
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) -- Sen. Lautenberg wants to make sure the government lives up to its promise of funding 40 percent of special education. He is a cosponsor of the "IDEA Full Funding Act," to increase funding for this program.
Head Start -- Sen. Lautenberg is a longtime supporter of Head Start and Early Head Start. As a member of both the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees, Sen. Lautenberg is working to provide Head Start with a $227 million funding increase for FY 2009.
Afterschool Programs -- Sen. Lautenberg is a member of the Senate Afterschool Caucus and firmly supports efforts to improve and expand afterschool programs. Sen. Lautenberg is working within both the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees to provide full funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and expand afterschool programs to another 2 million students.
Vouchers -- Sen. Lautenberg has been a vocal critic of vouchers. Voucher systems funnel funds away from public schools to private and religious institutions that do not have to meet the same standards.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) -- The "one-size-fits-all" approach to education currently targeted by NCLB needs to be reformed. Sen. Lautenberg supports changing NCLB so that local school districts have more flexibility in determining how to prepare our children for the challenges ahead.
