WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu helped pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 by a vote of 246-183.  Throughout the development of this legislation, he has been an ardent advocate for Oregon education, fighting to include more money for both local school districts and higher education institutions.

Some of the cuts to K-12 programs were restored in the final bill, with local school districts now receiving access to more than $40 billion to help make up funding shortfalls, $13 billion for Title I grants to help disadvantaged children reach high academic standards, and $12.2 billion for IDEA grants to increase funding for children in special education programs.

“While I wish that there would have been more funding for education at all levels in this bill, I do note that we succeeded in increasing the funds set aside to help our local school districts cover their budget shortfalls,” said Congressman Wu.  “In the end, higher education did not fare as well.  The specific provisions designated for higher education were eliminated completely, and some of the higher education money was moved to another, more general fund that will be distributed by the state.  Because Oregon students deserve our support throughout their time in school, I am committed to supporting our institutions of higher education as they fight for their portion of the general state funds.”

The funding that remains in the economic recovery package that could be used for higher education is largely subject to the governor’s discretion.  In an effort to clarify the negotiation process on higher education funding, Congressman Wu today sent a letter to Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, asking him to ensure that Oregon institutions of higher education receive the share of funding that was intended for them.

“This bill will be good for Oregonians—it will keep our schools open longer, create jobs, fix some of our roads and bridges, and help plug the hole in the state budget gap.  It could have been better, and I’m proud to have fought for it to be better.  Now that this long fight is nearly over, I am eager for money to begin flowing to those in Oregon who so desperately need it.”


Congressman Wu’s letter to Governor Kulongoski regarding higher education funding follows.

February 13, 2009

Dear Governor Kulongoski,

As you know, the U.S. House just passed the final version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and the bill is expected to be voted on in the Senate and signed in to law by President Obama in the very near future.

When the Senate passed an earlier version of the bill that drastically reduced funding to both states and education, I fought hard to reinstate those funds in the final version of the bill.  Some of the cuts to K-12 programs were restored in the final bill, with local school districts now receiving access to $39.5 billion to help make up funding shortfalls, $13 billion for Title I grants to help disadvantaged children reach high academic standards, and $12.2 billion for IDEA grants to increase funding for children in special education programs.

With respect to higher education, funding is largely subject to your discretion.  However, I want to clarify the history of the final bill negotiations.  Within the variety of funding sources in the legislation, there is $53.6 billion for a State Fiscal Stabilization Fund.  Of that, approximately $8.8 billion is designated for states to spend on high-priority needs; prior to conference on this bill, $5.5 billion had been set aside for high-priority needs.  During conference, that $5.5 billion was increased to approximately $8.8 billion by House members who sought to restore some of the Senate higher education cuts.  It was agreed that the $3.3 billion be added for higher education, which, by the bill’s definition, includes community colleges.  

Considering that funds for higher education were drastically reduced or eliminated in other sections of the final bill, I respectfully request that Oregon's share of the additional $3.3 billion flow to institutions of higher education.

It is crucial that we both employ people today and build our economic capacity for the future.  We must invest in our current and future workforce to create and maintain the highly-skilled workforce for which Oregon is known.  Investing in both K-12 and higher education, including community colleges, is one of the best ways to meet the needs of today while building a better tomorrow.  

The federal funds in the economic recovery legislation provide a unique opportunity for Oregon colleges and universities to receive an infusion of public support.  I urge you to do all that you can to insure that higher education institutions in Oregon receive the funds they need to improve their facilities.  

I look forward to working with you on this and other critical issues affecting Oregon.  

Sincerely,

David Wu
Member of Congress