SPECIAL EDUCATION GETS FUNDING INCREASE IN LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION BILL

Sen. Gregg pleased with upward trend in special ed funding

(Washington, D.C.) – Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) announced that special education funding is set to increase by $679 million in the upcoming fiscal year, continuing a Republican-led effort to make the federal government live up to its commitment to pay 40 percent of the cost of special education. This amount will be in addition to the nearly $2 billion in special education funding increases provided by the Republican Congress over the last three years. (See attached fact sheet.)

The funds are included in the Fiscal Year 2000 Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill, which is expected to be approved by the subcommittee today. Sen. Gregg, who serves as a member of the panel, has pressed for special education funding increases since becoming a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Sen. Gregg stated, "With my strong support and the support of Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS), Congress has increased federal funding for special education programs by nearly $2 billion over the last three years. This increase brings the federal share up to approximately 10 percent, which is a major improvement but still falls far short of the federal government’s original commitment to pay 40 percent of special education costs.

"Fully funding special education programs would free up money for local school districts to use for local needs, including improved facilities and teaching programs. But the current shortfall in special education funding forces school boards to divert funds away from other local needs to make up the difference. This sets up an unfair and unnecessary competition between special education parents and parents of regular education children.

"Before approving any funds for new programs proposed by the President, my view is that we should fulfill our existing commitment to fully fund special education. This bill keeps us on the right track toward meeting our commitment to fully funding special education."

Sen. Gregg also serves as the ranking Republican member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee.

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