President Obama Signs Legislation to Protect Education Jobs

President Obama signed the Education Jobs Bill on August 10, 2010, that will send $26.1 billion in relief to the states. The bill includes $10 billion in education funding to protect education jobs. The Education Department estimates that this funding will save 160,000 jobs nationwide.

About $1.2 billion of this federal education funding is expected to come to California. There are no details yet of how much money each school district will receive, but according to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, they are working to get money to local school districts “quickly.”  

"We can't stand by and do nothing while pink slips are given to the men and women who educate our children or keep our communities safe," said President Obama after signing the bill into law.

This law was passed thanks to the efforts of SEIU members, including our COPE contributions that supported lobbying and other outreach to legislators. Yes we can!