Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. statement, April 12, 1996

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Richard Cross April 12, 1996 202-225-3061 STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. REGARDING EDUCATION SPENDING IN 1996 OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL “There is a gross misperception that education spending in the United States is being dramatically reduced. Of all the funds spent in the United States on elementary and secondary education, only six percent derives from the federal government. The vast majority of education funds is spent by localities. Reducing the overall amount of education spending in this area will have only a minimal impact. The FY 1996 omnibus appropriations bill is pending before a House-Senate conference committee. According to the conference proposal released on March 28, FY 1996 education appropriations will be $1 5.3 billion — a modest 1 .4 billion reduction over FY 1995 levels. It is not yet possible to say what the overall reduction in FY 1996 federal education spending will be. “I am committed to preserving those education programs that work. Both Head Start and the federal student loan program are preserved under the Republican budget. “The net effect of the Republican budget cuts will be to give states and localities more discretion over how taxpayers’ funds are spent. I encourage my constituents who believe a specific federal education program should be preserved at the state level to contact their state representatives to make their views known. In the future, it is important that they elect state officials who will prioritize important issues such as education over costly public works projects.”