Earlier today, the House passed the education jobs bill by a vote of 247-161. The bill is now on the way to the President's desk. He is expected to sign it today so that the implementation process can begin immediately.

 

New figures from the U.S. Department of Education estimate that some 161,000educators--nearly 14,000 in California--who had received pink slips will be heading back to school this fall.

This victory is a result of an amazing national effort involving every level of the Association.  The participation by members, the multiple contacts with every single congressional office, the calls, e-mails, and personal visits by affiliate leaders and staff were unprecedented. Together, we overcame multiple pronouncements of the bill's death by the press, advocates, and Members of Congress. 

 

Thank you for all your hard work, your e-mails and calls--and especially to Tahnya Nodar, Christopher Rieder and Jim Costa, three pink-slipped California teachers who traveled to DC to lobby Congress. Our collective voices truly made the difference.

 

David A. Sanchez

CTA President