State Relief

Earlier this afternoon President Obama signed a $26.1 billion state aid bill, allowing local governments to get immediate relief for things such as Medicaid, education and law enforcement. The bill is estimated to save or create 300, 000 jobs. Some republicans are arguing that the federal government is spending too much money but in my opinion it is money that will be well spent if the bill does what it is designed to do. As a future educator I am glad that the House saw fit to sign a bill that will help prevent teacher layoffs. In an already struggling public school system, we cannot afford to loose the good educators that we have. Of the total amount $16 billion will be allocated to the states for Medicaid, which will free up the state budgets to keep approximately 150,000 police officers. The only provision about the bill that I see a problem with is the reduction of food stamps for poor families. I think the federal government should find another area to draw from so that poor American families do not have to go hungry. Republicans are calling the bill a giveaway to teacher’s unions and an example of wasteful Washington spending. I don’t believe it is waste of money to save the jobs of those who educate our children and protect our communities from crime. Yes, $26.1 billion is a lot of money and it may seem like an extreme amount, but it is needed to repair the damage done by our current recession.