Murphy Votes to Save Connecticut Teacher Jobs

Press Release

In response to shortfalls in state and local budgets, last night Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) voted to save teaching jobs in Connecticut by supporting a $10 billion federal investment in education, without adding to the deficit. Connecticut, along with many other states, is facing record declines in tax revenue due to high rates of unemployment and declining income and property values.

"Connecticut teacher jobs will be saved with this vote. Without this infusion of federal dollars, the state wouldn't be able to support critical teaching positions, putting our kids' education in jeopardy. This was the right thing to do - for teachers, for kids, and for the future of our state," said Murphy.

Education makes up the one of the largest items in state budgets, so Murphy supported this critical funding to help teachers and students. According to the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, the $10 billion approved last night will help states save or create an estimated 140,000 education jobs for the next school year. It is estimated that Connecticut will receive over $110 million from the funding approved last night, saving approximately 1,300 teaching jobs in the state. The 5th District is estimated to receive $23.4 million, protecting about 280 positions. Federal assistance will alleviate the need for damaging cuts in public education such as shortening the school week and greatly increasing class sizes.

Connecticut will have to apply for their share of these federal dollars, and the U.S. Department of Education will distribute the funds to states via a formula based on total population and school age population. States will then have the option of distributing the funds to school districts based on their customary funding formulas or the federal Title I formula. The bill prohibits states from using their teacher job funds to pay off debt or for a "rainy day" fund.

"This money will go directly to where it's needed most - the classroom. Without it, fewer teachers would be going back to the job they so love in the fall, and kids would find themselves in classrooms with 40 other students," said Murphy.

This isn't the first time Murphy has supported efforts to save teacher jobs. Last year Murphy voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which was signed into law on February 17, 2009 and made a historic $100 billion investment in education to save vital jobs and programs from being cut. Connecticut has received $765,369,365 in education Recovery funds to date. This past December he also voted for the Jobs For Main Street Act, which included a teacher jobs fund but was not voted on by the Senate.

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