FOR RELEASE: Contact: Julie Green (202) 401-3026
April 20, 1998
STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RICHARD W. RILEY
I am here today to help focus attention on what will be, without a doubt, a defining series of Congressional votes on education.
I say "defining" because the votes over the next several days will clarify whether this is a Congress that wants to represent the American people with meaningful action that makes a real difference -- or with marginal legislation that makes phony claims of fundamental improvement.
Does this Congress want to invest taxpayers' money wisely -- in real and shared priorities for the American people? Let's not squander this opportunity on a gimmick that will help a very limited number of Americans -- mostly high-income families -- in a very limited way, as figures from the bipartisan joint tax committee clearly show.
The Coverdell bill proposes a tax break that, on average, will bring just $7 extra into the homes of Americans with public school children by 2002, and just $37 to taxpayers with children in private schools.
It would send a disproportionate share of benefits to wealthier families who will save with or without this legislation, and it would divert funds from productive efforts to improve education.
The difference between the Coverdell bill and the Moseley-Braun bill is the difference between pocket change and real change.
It is the difference between $7 a family in the year 2002 -- and a bold plan to finance $22 billion in bonds to modernize and build schools -- to address overcrowding, fix leaky roofs, accommodate better access for children with disabilities, and help wire our schools for technology.
The House and Senate have passed very large highway bills. Now is the time to do something concrete for education. Now is the time to pass the Moseley-Braun school construction bill.
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