U.S. House Approves Funding for Teacher Jobs

The U.S. House of Representatives on August 10 approved legislation containing emergency funds to help states cope with the Great Recession and stave off massive layoffs of educators. The legislation will provide $110.5 million in federal funding for Connecticut and help save 1,500 education jobs.

The House joined the Senate in passing H.R. 1586, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, legislation that will keep educators working and help states with Medicaid funding. It provides $10 billion for teachers’ jobs and $16 billion for Medicaid funding assistance. The bill, which the Department of Education estimates will save some 161,000 educators’ jobs, was signed into law by President Obama shortly after its passage. More information here.