FROM THE DESK OF

FROM THE DESK OF

CONGRESSMAN JIM MALONEY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Betsy Arnold

May 4, 2000 202-226-8162

MALONEY ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF BILL TO INCREASE FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDING FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Washington, D.C.-- Working to help ensure that children with disabilities and special needs receive a quality education, Congressman Jim Maloney (CT-05) announced that the House of Representatives passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Full Funding Act (H.R. 4055) with his strong support.

Full Federal funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a key proposal under Congressman Maloney=s nine point education agenda.

AI am delighted that this effort that I have long fought for has received such overwhelming bi-partisan support. It is critical that we provide quality educational services for disabled children and children with special needs,@ said Congressman Maloney.

Special Education funding is one of the largest expenses for local school districts across the country. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Full Funding Act would help local school districts pay for the education of children with disabilities and special needs. This Act eases the burden on local taxpayers, who, for the past 25 years, have been largely responsible for paying the federal government=s unpaid share of these education costs.

This law would provide 40% of the average education expense to local school districts for each student with special needs. Current funding is approximately 13%, even though when federal legislation for special education was first passed the federal government promised to pay 40% of the costs.

AThis bill eases the burden on local taxpayers by ensuring that the federal government meets its responsibility to children with special education needs,@ said Congressman Maloney. AAdditionally, this funding will provide local districts with greater flexibility in their spending because they are relived of a substantial portion of their special education costs,@ said Maloney.

AAll too often schools have to limit school activities, cut academic programs and curtail modernization efforts because the federal share of IDEA funds has not matched the federal commitment and, therefore, is not enough to meet the needs of their students. This is unacceptable to our schools and our children; that is why I am such a strong supporter of this legislation,@ said Maloney.

The IDEA Full Funding ACT would provide increased funding in order to meet the 40% federal funding of special education costs within 10 years. The bill, which has been referred to the Senate for consideration, increases the federal contribution by $2 billion in each of the next ten years, starting with $7 billion in Fiscal Year 2001 and reaching $2.5 billion by Fiscal Year 2010.

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