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Slaughter highlights education, health
May 25, 2006 Rep. Louise Slaughter Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, who vowed to fight for more funds for education and health care, also pledged to "clean up" the nation's capital. "I want my country back," she told local and retiree council presidents at their pre-RA conference luncheon. The Rochester Democrat called for greater transparency from an administration that continually underfunds education but can, according to recent news reports, spend $21 million of Homeland Security money this year alone on a felon-owned limousine service with ties to prostitution. In the 2006-07 proposed budget, funding to education is cut by more than 3 percent. "No Child Left Behind is being left behind," Slaughter said. The program should have received $15 billion this year. "It's been underfunded since its passage," said Slaughter, the first woman to serve as ranking member on the House Rules Committee. Funding was reduced for the Title I program, which helps millions of disadvantaged students, and for programs to train tens of thousands of teachers. "Private school vouchers received the only increase — $100 million," Slaughter noted. President Bush cuts corners and underfunds programs for those who need them most, she said, adding, "Education should be a right and not a privilege." Slaughter also faulted the Bush administration for failing Americans — including the 46 million uninsured — on health care. "Let's be frank, Medicare Part D is intended to kill Medicare," she said. In a brief question-and-answer period, local leaders asked the congresswoman about a national response to rising gas prices. "We need to repeal part of the energy bill that gave $15 billion in kickbacks," said Slaughter, who also suggested that the country needs to investigate alternative fuels and cease its dependence on foreign oil. "NYSUT has already shown us all how powerful we can be when we stand together," Slaughter concluded. "My goal in Washington will be to echo your fight for those who need it most." |
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