NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin, below, introduced U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, right, shown shaking hands with NYSUT Board member Carol Slotkin as Vice President Kathleen Donahue looks on.
U.S. Rep. 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 the 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 news reports last week, 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," noted Slaughter.
President Bush cuts corners and underfunds programs for those who need the 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.
"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."