Ruppersberger Supports Bill to Create or Save Jobs for Teachers, Police Officers, Firefighters, and Nurses

Legislation Will Save an Estimated 2,500 Positions in Maryland 

(Washington, DC) –Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) today supported a bill to create and save nearly 320,000 jobs for teachers, police officers, firefighters and nurses as well as help states provide critical health care. H.R. 1586, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, passed during a special Congressional session today. Not only is the legislation completely paid for, but the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says it will reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion over 10 years by closing tax loopholes that encourage corporations to ship American jobs overseas and cutting other spending. 

In Maryland, H.R. 1586 will save an estimated 2,500 positions, according to data from the Council of Economic Advisors.  The Act provides financial assistance to the states to pay teacher salaries and prevent layoffs of police officers, firefighters, nurses and other first responders. More than half of the jobs created under this bill will be in the private sector, including workers who contract for or supply services to state and local governments.

“Proving top-notch public safety and education are top priorities for local and state governments, but times are tough all across our country,” said Representative C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) who was the Baltimore County Executive before coming to Congress.  “We don’t want states like Maryland to have to choose between educating our children or keeping people safe.  This legislation gives states a boost and saves an estimated 2,500 jobs in Maryland.  It will save money in the long-term while still creating jobs and keeping those jobs in America.”   
 
H.R. 1586 provides $10 billion in funding to save more than 160,000 teaching positions nationwide.  It also provides $16.1 billion in health assistance to states, which will keep many other citizens on the job, including police officers, firefighters, nurses, and other first responders.    

The measure is supported by a majority of the nation’s governors, including 16 Republican Governors like Robert McDonnell (R-VA) and Chris Christie (R-NJ).  The bi-partisan National Conference of State Legislatures, the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, and the National Association of Counties (NACO) also support the bill.  Congressman Ruppersberger was a Member of NACO when he was Baltimore County Executive.  The legislation passed the Senate on August 5, 2010.  It must be signed by the President before it can become law.