Pete Aguilar Hosts Open-Press Call with Inland Empire Students on the Need to Invest In Education

Press Release

As part of his Middle Class Initiative, which focuses on the critical need to invest in education, Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar, Democratic candidate for Congress in California's 31st district, hosted an open-press conference call today with Inland Empire high school and college students. The callers asked Pete questions about his positions on various issues and called out his opponent, Paul Chabot, on his irresponsible plan to cut education by 20%.

"Getting a college education is a key part of making it into the middle class," Aguilar said during the call. "Every kid who earns the grades to go to college should get a shot, regardless of how much money their parents have. Let's support federal grants and reform student loans and make educating our kids a priority again."

In August, Aguilar released his Middle Class Initiative which puts education at the forefront of the fight to strengthen San Bernardino County's middle class. As the father of two young children, Pete supports early childhood education for all students and robust funding for schools across the country. He is also an advocate for Pell Grants and student loan reform, both of which gave him the opportunities he needed to succeed. Pete's support for investments in education stands in sharp contrast to his opponent, Paul Chabot, who has advocated for a 20% across the board cut which would slash nearly $20 billion in education funding for California's primary schools and higher education system.

"As a college student about to graduate from Cal State San Bernardino, I need a voice in Congress who will support student loan reform, equal pay for women and policies that will help me find a job," said Stephanie Amador, a participant on today's call. "What I don't need is Paul Chabot, who advocates for 20% across the board cuts to education that will leave us with higher tuition and no where to turn."

Chabot's budget approach is very similar to the devastating sequestration cuts enacted in January 2013. Sequestration resulted in billions of dollars in cuts to primary education, slashed funding for children with disabilities and cost thousands of teachers and aides their jobs.

Pete Aguilar is a small business owner and Mayor of Redlands. He is a strong advocate for economic growth and fairness for the middle class in the Inland Empire and a leader who has reached across party lines to serve the best interests of San Bernardino County.

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