A CNN poll released today shows a majority of Americans–60%–support the jobs legislation the House passed and President Obama signed into law yesterday.
The fully paid-for legislation saves and creates 319,000 jobs, including 161,000 teachers, reduces the deficit by $1.4 billion, and closes tax loopholes that encourage corporations to ship American jobs overseas. Governors across the country support the legislation:
National Governors Association:
The National Governors Association appreciates actions taken by Congress to pass legislation that will assist states and help speed recovery. Governors have long called for the extension of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's (ARRA) enhanced federal match for Medicaid (FMAP) for two additional quarters.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:
The need for this federal funding is critical to California. This is also a simple matter of fairness. For too long, California taxpayers have been shortchanged by the federal government in several programs, including our Medicaid matching rate, and this funding is a good down payment on what we are owed. I applaud the House for quickly passing this important legislation.
Florida Governor Charlie Crist:
We need all the help we can get, especially in this economy. It’s all about jobs, jobs, jobs. Whatever assistance we can get to bring some of those Florida dollars back to Florida we deserve to get.
Iowa Governor Chet Culver:
This important additional funding for education and health care will allow more Iowa teachers to stay on the job…This legislation will also provide approximately $128 million for the state's Medicaid program. The nearly 400,000 Iowans who rely on the program will have the assurance that health care will be available if they need it.
Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson:
I am pleased that the House has passed this important legislation to benefit Kansas students and teachers and allow our economic recovery to progress. With this assistance finally on its way to the President, we avoid laying off thousands of teachers, increasing class sizes and damaging our children's quality education. We also keep our state budget in balance by filling the gap that was dependent on FMAP. I appreciate the members of Congress that recognized the importance of this assistance and voted to support it today.
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm:
I’m grateful that Congress has passed legislation that will keep Michigan teachers educating our children and ensure that our citizens have access to health care services. For Michigan, this legislation means more than $300 million to hire or rehire teachers. These funds will help our children receive the education they need to compete in a global economy. The legislation also will ensure that people have access to health care, such as those with mental illness or who require prescription drugs.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon:
I am appreciative that Congress and the White House recognize that the states are facing ongoing fiscal challenges to provide essential services. While not a solution to all those challenges, the federal funding we will receive through this bill will allow us to continue moving forward with the economic recovery already under way.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland:
As states are emerging from the recession, this legislation will create and save education and health care jobs throughout the country and right here in Ohio.
Washington Governor Christine Gregoire:
I applaud the House's bipartisan action today to support FMAP and federal education funding. This funding is critical for services that are the safety net for our most needy. Here in Washington, we've already had to make $5.1 billion in cuts to the state budget. Without this aid, we would have been forced to make further draconian cuts that would have put our economic recovery in jeopardy while eliminating services like medical care for children and low-income families. Investment in education and support for our people, especially in this economic time, is essential.
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle:
The education jobs funds that the House passed today are essential to reinstating laid-off teachers and hiring more teachers to fill critical openings in our schools before the new school year. Superintendent Evers and I are working with the school districts to ensure that this funding will be used carefully and without delay to ensure that our students have additional good, quality teachers in front of their classrooms this fall. The House also passed Medicaid funding that will help alleviate severe stress on our balanced state budget as a result of increased demand in Medicaid. Without this funding Wisconsin would have faced significant job losses in the private health care industry.
See how many teachers will now be able to keep their jobs in your state»