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Posted on Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 11:20 a.m.

Congressman Dingell has helped Michigan's education system survive through the recession

By Letters to the Editor

The severe economic recession has threatened our education system by forcing public schools to lay off large numbers of teachers, increase class sizes, and cut critical programs.

Congressman Dingell, however, has stepped in to minimize cuts and help our system of public education meet its promise to Michigan students. In 2009, he pushed for $2.2 billion to help Michigan fill an education budget gap caused by declining tax revenue. That funding was critical to maintaining high-quality programs for special education and at-risk students, as well as for retaining thousands of teachers. This year he supported an education jobs bill that prevented scores of lay-offs of Michigan teachers due to lack of funding.

Without Congressman Dingell’s strong leadership on behalf of Michigan families, we would have been left with an education system ill-equipped to serve those with the most need and unable to live-up to its promise to Michigan children. That’s why I am voting for Congressman Dingell this November. I hope you will too.

Robert E. Bowen Ann Arbor

Comments

lordhelmet

Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 5:32 a.m.

So Dingell borrowed more money from our children to cover the inflated gold plated pensions, health care, and salaries of greedy union teachers? Nice! I say DUMP Dingell and do it on Tuesday. The guy passed the worst bill in history, Obamacare, and he should lose by that reason alone. The NEA has driven public education into a ditch just like the UAW ruined the US auto industry. And it was people like Dingell who helped make that happen.

David Briegel

Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 3:08 p.m.

To compare govt and tax dollars to bank robbers is criminal. Now, if you wish to compare bank robbers to the Wall St banksters or the Perpetual War Profiteers, that would be more appropriate.

Joe Hood

Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 12:11 p.m.

Where did that money come from? Money doesn't grow on trees. Sure, everyone would give out lots of money if it wasn't theirs. The Ann Arbor bank robbers, from earlier in the week, surely would have given their money to our schools This is money to patch a pothole, not rebuild a roadbed. The system needs a more holistic approach.