SHADEGG VOTES TO HELP STATE EDUCATORS
~Bill authorizes full funding of federally
mandated programs for disabled students~

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Congressman John Shadegg (AZ-04) today supported legislation that forces the federal government to make good on a twenty-four year old promise to children with special education needs. The House voted to authorize full funding of the federally mandated program for disabled students, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a move that would free up local resources to build new schools, hire more teachers and connect schools to the Internet.

The bill, the IDEA Full Funding Act of 2000, H.R. 4055, passed by with overwhelming bipartisan support and sets a schedule for fully funding the federal government’s commitment to IDEA by the year 2010. “For twenty-four years Congress has failed on its promise to fully fund IDEA. Because of this failed commitment, states and schools are struggling to meet the needs of special education children and are forced to deny local funding for other vital priorities,” Shadegg said. “H.R. 4055 fulfills the government’s commitment to IDEA, giving local school districts and schools the ability to meet their individual needs instead of struggling beneath the burdens of this massive federal mandate."

The bill, sponsored by Congressman Bill Goodling, chairman of the Committee on the Education and the Workforce, would authorize increases of $2 billion a year to meet the federal commitment of 40 percent by the year 2010. “While I would prefer a more immediate funding of IDEA, this is a step in the right direction. Even still, Congress should not spend any additional money to expand or create new education programs until federal education dollars are spent on the single program for which we have a legal responsibility -- IDEA,” said Shadegg.

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