Nunnelee Plays Politics With Our Children’s Education, Teachers’ Jobs
Booneville, MS – It has been two weeks since Congress passed a bill to create and save 2,000 education jobs in Mississippi, and Alan Nunnelee is still playing politics with our children’s education and teachers’ jobs. Today, Childers for Congress began running a district-wide newspaper ad highlighting Nunnelee’s criticism of critical emergency funding for Mississippi schools that even the Governor supports.
Gov. Haley Barbour, who expressed initial concerns over the legislation, has since refuted Alan Nunnelee’s claim that the bill “requires the state of Mississippi to spend between $50-$100 million in state taxpayer dollars to access extra, federal education dollars.” [Nunnelee for Congress release, 8/10/10; Governor’s Office release, 8/19/10]. In fact, no money will have to be moved around in the state budget, and Mississippi schools will receive $98 million in federal funding for K-12 education without putting up any additional funds.
“My number one priority is – and will continue to be – creating jobs in North Mississippi and rebuilding our economy,” said Travis Childers. “Education is the best jobs program we can offer our younger generations, especially during today’s tough times. That’s why I was proud to vote for legislation to create and save an estimated 2,000 education jobs in Mississippi and provide our children with the resources they need to succeed.
“But my opponent has a history of playing politics with our children’s education and breaking his promise to protect North Mississippi students and teachers. During his 16-years in the State Senate, he has unnecessarily lowered the quality of education for our children by needlessly slashing teaching jobs and education funding in Mississippi. And now he’s at it again, bashing critical funding that will help hire and rehire education workers throughout Mississippi – and that even the Governor knows we need. That’s just downright shameful.”
If Nunnelee had his way today, our students would have fewer teachers, crowded classes, and a lower quality of learning. The cost of Nunnelee’s political stunt would be thousands of lost jobs, and even higher taxes for Mississippi families. [NEMS Daily Journal, 8/15/10]; Clarion Ledger, 8/10/10; Clarion Ledger, 8/11/10]
Travis Childers Press
8/25/10
