Himes and First Selectmen Call For Full Funding of NCLB
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 27, 2008
Leaders fault Shays for failing to lead on education
TRUMBULL, CT - With the school year over and the town budget season completed, Jim Himes, Democratic nominee for Congress, met with First Selectmen Raymond Baldwin (Trumbull), Thomas Buzi (Monroe), Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers (Oxford), and Kenneth Flatto (Fairfield) to discuss the impact that unfunded mandates in No Child Left Behind have had on towns in the fourth congressional district.
"NCLB is deeply flawed," Himes said. "This issue will require substantial leadership to address. In Congress, I will make sure the law is reformed and I will demand that mandates are fully funded by the federal government."
Himes drew a contrast with incumbent Christopher Shays on the issue. "Chris Shays has voted for budgets that failed to fully fund No Child Left Behind. As a result, people feel like they are against our educational system because towns must choose between fully funding schools and raising taxes. That's not how this should work."
According to figures provided by the National Education Association, the annual budget shortfall created by No Child Left Behind in the fourth district approaches $50 million. "I have worked with Congressman Shays on many issues, but not once have I seen or heard him work on education issues," Flatto said.
Trumbull First Selectman Baldwin agreed that Himes "will do much better than Congressman Shays" He described the past budget year as "very difficult" because "NCLB is sorely underfunded."
Monroe First Selectman Buzi also expressed disappointment with No Child Left Behind and Shays' position. "NCLB forces us to stick our hands in the taxpayers' pocket," Thomas Buzi said. "If you [Congressman Shays] are going to vote for something, have the courage to fund it."
All four local officials agreed that Jim Himes is the right person to represent them in Congress. As Oxford First Selectwoman Drayton-Rogers explained, "Jim will fight for success and won't accept failure."
"Very few things government does are more important than making sure every child gets a great education," added Himes. "Fixing No Child Left Behind will be a priority for me."
