House Proceeding 05-13-09 on May 13th, 2009 :: 0:43:25 to 1:03:25
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0:40:05 to 0:43:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Earl Blumenauer

0:43:20 to 0:43:28( Edit History Discussion )

Earl Blumenauer: i am pleased to support it. i thank the committee for its work. the implementation of this

0:43:29 to 0:43:49( Edit History Discussion )

Al Green: legislation is going to make our community, schools, truly the building block of liveble communities and make our families saver -- safer and healthier. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from california. mr. miller: i yield two minutes to the gentleman from texas, mr. green. mr. green: thank you, mr. chairman.

0:43:30 to 0:45:30( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Al Green

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Al Green: i thank you, chairman miller, for your outstanding work and service in the congress. i thank mr. chandler for sponsoring this piece of legislation. mr. chairman, the cost of energy is increasing. this bill will help us by saving energy. it will help us in the years to come by reducing the amount of

0:44:11 to 0:44:32( Edit History Discussion )

Al Green: energy that we will use. unemployment is at 8.9%. this bill will p people to work in a crucial and critical area, the area of construction, because the bill is all about construction and reconstruction of some of our facilities and more, of course. this bill is one that we all

0:44:33 to 0:44:54( Edit History Discussion )

Al Green: agree is needed. the need for it is undeniable. the question becomes then, are going to make our children a priority? that's really the question that i ask members to consider. will we make our children a priority? yes, there are times when we cannot afford to do things.

0:44:55 to 0:45:16( Edit History Discussion )

Al Green: but there are also times when we can't afford not to do things. this is up with of those things that we cannot afford not to do. and there are times when even -- when you've done everything you can, you have not done enough. when you've done all that you can do, you haven't done enough. on occasions when you've done all that you can do and you

0:45:17 to 0:45:31( Edit History Discussion )

Al Green: haven't done enough, you have a duty to do all that you can. this bill does all that we can do at this time to help this generation complete, compete in the global economy.

0:45:32 to 0:45:52( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: i beg and i implore my colleagues to make our children a priority and support this bill. i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california, mr. mckeon. mr. mckeon: thank you, mr. chairman. i have been listening to all the comments that were mad and there's good, sound arguments on both sides of this

0:45:35 to 0:50:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Howard P. Buck McKeon

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Howard P. Buck McKeon: issue. nobody, i think, says that we shouldn't have the very, very best schools that we can send our children to. i think we talk about priorities and how we decide where the money comes from and how it should be done. i've been here in congress now a little over 16 years. i remember back in my first

0:46:15 to 0:46:36( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: term, a bill was proposed that was also very good. it was to put more cops on the street and i remember the mayor of los angeles c time and he said, if you'll vote for this and support this, just get it started, we'll carry it from then on. and i didn't vote for it.

0:46:37 to 0:46:57( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: i didn't think that they would be able to carry it on and that's what's happened. that bill was passednd i did good things, put more cops on the street, but theinal -- where we are now is we've put more and more money into that each year, the federal government has become more and

0:46:58 to 0:47:18( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: more involved in local law enforcement and now we're to the point where we've even eliminated the local match. we've totally taken over the cops on the street and the federal government involvement now has, as i said, increased year by year. and i can see this program doing the same thing. i served for nine years on a local school board.

0:47:19 to 0:47:39( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: and we always were looking for ways to get more money to cover our needs. there were always more needs than money available. and i know we had problems with our long-term maintenance and we had to maksome sacrifices, we had to make some adjustments so we cou spend money for some long-term investment to build up

0:47:40 to 0:48:02( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: our roofs on the schools so we wouldn't have them collapsing or the rain wouldn't be coming through. and i know how people think, i know how human nature is. and i know if i were still on that school board and this bill

0:48:03 to 0:48:27( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: were passed, became law, that i would be, you know, probably looking to the federal government to meet those needs and then using the local monies for other things and turning more and more over to the federal government. that's just human nature. as i said, there were always more needs than money. and so i see this program

0:48:28 to 0:48:50( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: starting out at $40 billion as it grows over the years, ultimately taking that total responsibility off of the local school boards and looking to the federal government for all school construction, all school improvements and even though it's a good thing, i think by virtue of the constitution and

0:48:51 to 0:49:11( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: tradition, that that is a local problem, not a federal responsibility. and the money all comes from the taxpayers. and when it comes from the federal government, it kind of seems like, at least in california, we send about 12% of the money here and about 10% findsity way back. it would be much better -- finds

0:49:12 to 0:49:34( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: its way back. it would be much better if we could keep our expenses down here, try to cut spending, try to get back within our means of how we live. some things have been said about how we really should be building better schools. i agree with that. but i don't think it's totally necessary. when we think of mr. roe, dr.

0:49:35 to 0:49:55( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: roe, who said he went to a two-room school house, seemed to get a pretty good education, he's a physician. and i think back to president lincoln who was taught by candlelight with a bible, how to read by his mother. had just a couple of years of formal education, i think we would all agree that mr. lincoln

0:49:56 to 0:50:17( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: turned out all right. so i think when we say that there's no way to educate our children unless we pump $40 billion more of the federal government into this program, that that's the way to make it happen. you know, i have to say, as i said earlier, this bill costs

0:50:18 to 0:50:28( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: too much, borrows too much and controls too much. i urge my colleagues to oppose

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George Miller: this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: -- the chair: the gen back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. miller: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. miller: mr. speaker, members of the house, the 21st century green high-performing public

0:50:30 to 0:56:04( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: George Miller

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George Miller: school facilities act is what the federal government should be doing. week of seen now over the last year and in me cases a little bit longer and for the foreseeable future that the tax resources of local school districts, cities and counties have plummeted because of the foreclosure crises that confronts this nation, because of the financial scandals and the financial collapse of our

0:51:13 to 0:51:34( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: institutions across this nation. we've seen the credit is not available, the school dribblingts that -- the school districts that have voted for bonds have had difficulty in getting those bonds to market so that they can engage in the construction and we see that in fact the back log of repairs to schools, renovations, modernizations of schools and

0:51:35 to 0:51:55( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: school facilities, is starting to lag. that for the foreseeable future unemployment will continue to go up in this count, at a diminished rate but we're still looking at half a million people a month losing their jobs. auto sales are down because as the american families are trying to recession, the depression that

0:51:56 to 0:52:16( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: we're in, they're trying to take care of their needs, so school districts are denied those resources as are states and so what the fedal government is doing in this time of emergency is trying to say that we will join with you in a partnership based upon the priorities of locally elected school boards, of superintendents of schools, for the repair and restoration

0:52:17 to 0:52:37( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: of schools that are so necessary in so many areas of this country. if the school board, if the school district doesn't need the money, they need not take it. they need not take it. we hope they wouldn't because maybe it could go to another school district that more. these repairs and restorations, if we use green technology and use the guidelines of the green

0:52:38 to 0:52:59( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: standards, not only can repair, not only can restore these schools, they can make them far more efficient, much more efficient in the use of energy, inhe use of water, in the use of natural daylight, so that students will have a better learning environment, better opportunities at learning. and, yes, the data is pretty darn clear. that in those kinds of facilities, students do have a

0:53:00 to 0:53:20( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: better opportunity at learning the material that is presented to them in that environment than they do in an old and rundown facility that's crumbling and bathrooms that aren't safe, that can't be used and windows that aren't replaced. yes, that may not sound like the local school district that some of you represent, like a lot of the local school dribblingts that a lot of us represent and those -- districts that a lot of us represent and

0:53:21 to 0:53:41( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: those school districts are doing all that they can. people are paying higher taxes but thfact of the matter is, they don't have sufficient resources to do that. that does not mean then that we should just sentence those kids to a second-class education, to deny them educational opportunities, because when we do that, we then spill over into country and that is to make sure

0:53:42 to 0:54:03( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: that every child receives a first-class education, that every child at years has the opportunity to choose a career or schools or schools and a career or whatever combination, but they're prepared to do that. and we know from all of the surveys that it's far more difficult for young you children

0:54:04 to 0:54:24( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: to learn in dilapidated, ill-repaired, badly restored schools when they're trying to get down the basics of their education. this is a in some cases, local government joins with private sector money to repair and restore schools and to provide new technologies. we want to join part of that. you can say this is a federal taking over, it's not taking over.

0:54:25 to 0:54:46( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: this is insignificant compared to what the effort being made by local governments. we're simply saying we think this could be catalytic in terms of getting some of these projects done at this particular time and for the foreseeable few surso we can ensure our future so we can ensure our schools have the opportunity to do that.

0:54:47 to 0:55:07( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: i want to that mr. chandler, mr. loebsack, who worked with local districts, who worked with local schools, who looked at examples of what had been done to make it more efficient use of those local dollars, of federal dollars, of education dollars, to bringhat together and try to build high performing schools. we want to make the same decisions. we want to make the same

0:55:08 to 0:55:28( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: decisions for these schools that so many in the private sector are making about their renovation, the renewal, the repair of commercial facilities, of facilities throughout our communities, where the real estate industry is saving biions of dollars by greening those buildings, where we're saving energy, where we're saving water. in states like california those

0:55:29 to 0:55:49( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: two things are very important. and providing a safe environment for children. that's why we should pass this legisl yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from nevada, a member of the committee and strong supporter of this legislation. . ms. titus: thank you very much,

0:55:50 to 0:56:04( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: chairman miller, for your hard work on this legislation. i certainly am supportive of it. i want to add some provisions to it that will be brought forward in an amendment later.

0:56:05 to 0:56:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Dina Titus

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Dina Titus: as an educator myself, i believe that it is important that we have safe and healthy schools because only in those environments can children learn better and certainly that is all

0:56:17 to 0:56:38( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Holden: our goal. i'm pleased to be supportive of this and i yield back to the chairman. mr. miller: mr. speaker, we have no more -- further speakers. does the gentleman yield back? the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman has yielded back his time. mr. miller: i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the chair: all time for general debate has expired, pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the

0:56:20 to 0:57:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Tim Holden

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Tim Holden: nature of a substitute printed considered as an original bill for purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule and shall be considered as read. no amendment to the c amendment is in order except those printed in house report number 111-106. each amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, by a mber designated the report, shall be considered as read, shall be

0:57:00 to 0:57:15( Edit History Discussion )

Tim Holden: debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent of the amendment, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a of the question. it is now in order to consider

0:57:16 to 0:57:36( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: amendment number 1 printed in house report for what purpose does the gentleman from california rise? mr. miller: to speak to the manager's amendment, to offer that amendment. the chair: does the gentleman offer the amendment? mr. miller: yes, i do. the chair: record the amendment -- the the clerk will degnate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 1, printed in house report number 11-106, offered by mr. george

0:57:20 to 0:59:00( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: George Miller

0:57:37 to 0:57:57( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: miller of california. the chair: pursuant to the rule -- pursuant to house resolution 147, the gentleman from california, mr. george miller, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. miller: i thank the chair. mr. speaker, members of the house, as has been stated a very important piece of legislation that is geared to

0:57:58 to 0:58:18( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: improve the condition of school buildings across the country, and it does so while promoting energy efficiency through green buildings and creating jobs to help stimulate our economy. i have a manager's amendment which i believe further improves the bill, one, by providing equitable treatment of charter schools school district can put its fund to good use.

0:58:19 to 0:58:40( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: by allowing schools to give priority to projects designed to remove hazardous material like asbestos and also by stating -- setting aside more funds for tribal and outlying areas, and finally allowing funds to be used for water supply and building envelopes. i think these are valuable

0:58:41 to 0:59:01( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: changes and i want to thank representatives polis, matheson, and pingreer for their leadership in these changes. this is not billion federal vs. stat districts and construction repair, it's abouteeting the urgent needs that will help revamp the nation's schools, and

0:59:02 to 0:59:23( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: lower the cost of schools and taxpayers and help us create jobs. i urge support of the amendment. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time . for what purpose does the gentleman from cr5. rise -- from california rise?

0:59:05 to 1:01:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Howard P. Buck McKeon

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Howard P. Buck McKeon: mr. mckeyon: i i yield myself such time as i may consume. i object to this amendmentor several reasons. it adds additional uses of fus, project priorities, and funding allocations. while none of these on its own is particularly objectionable, on the whole we are making the bill more complex and deviating even further from what the federal government ought to be doing in education, and that's

0:59:45 to 1:00:05( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: focusing on academics. the most troubling element of this amendment is its unfair treatment to charter schools. during our committee's markup of this bill, we endorsed on a fully bipartisan basis an amendment from the gentleman from colorado, representative polis. his amendment ensur fair treatment for under this program.

1:00:06 to 1:00:27( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: after all if we are providing facilities, funding for public schools, we ought to be providing it equitably for all public schools, that includes charter schools. charter schools are public schools created by teachers, parents, and other members of the community to educate studen and stimulate reform in the public school system. as public schools, they must

1:00:28 to 1:00:48( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: serve students from all backgrounds and educational abilities. unfortunately the amendment we are debating weakens the equal protections for charter schools that were inserted on a bipartisan basis during our committee's vote. the amendment empowers local school districts, some of them charter schools, to determine

1:00:49 to 1:01:11( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: what their chorter school's facilities needs are. if the district determines that a charter has no facilities needs, the money specifically setaside for charter schools reverts back to the local district. we know that charter schools are desperately in need of facilities funding. on average public charter school funding falls short of traditional public school

1:01:12 to 1:01:32( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: funding by 22%. a primary cause of this ineity is charter schools lack access to local and capital funding, primarily due to the fact that charter schools cannot issue bonds to pay for school construction. charter schools drive innovation and reform. they have been championed by president obama and education secretary duncan.

1:01:33 to 1:01:45( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: they were protected in this legislation by an amendment offered by a member of the majority. this amendment undermines the bipartisan support for charter schools by putting their fair access to funds under this program in jeopardy.

1:01:46 to 1:02:06( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: i strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman from california, mr. miller, has yielded back his time. does the gentleman from california seek unanimous consent to regain control of his time? mr. miller: i do.

1:01:50 to 1:02:55( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: George Miller

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George Miller: the chair: without objec the gentleman from california, mr. miller, is recognized. mr. miller: thi amendment -- the manager's amendment i would hope would pass. the discussion about what was the polis amendnt in the committee to make sure that charter schools got a fair share of this money is in fact remains intact. the problem with that amendment in the committee was that new

1:02:28 to 1:02:48( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: charter schools would have been precluded from having access to that money since they weren't in existence and the amendment originally spoke to those charter sools in existence. as with the original amendment, this will be done in consultation with the school board. if there isn't a demonstrated need among the charter schools, the money goes back in the pot for the use of the schools.

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George Miller: that's how it was done in the original amendment. mr. polis, the author of that amendment, has agreed to this change to make sure we include

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Howard P. Buck McKeon: all charter schools at that time. amendment. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman from california reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. mckeon: thank you, mr. chair. i yield myself the balance of my time. this amendment will make it more difficult for charter schools, which remember are public schools held to higher standards for studentcademic achievement to receive facilities funding

1:03:00 to 1:07:50( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Howard P. Buck McKeon

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Howard P. Buck McKeon: under this bill. if taxpayers are being asked to renovate and repair public schools at a minimum, we need to ensure fair treatment for all public schools. i ur my colleagues to this amendment. i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. miller: i yield back the balance of my time. i ask for an aye vote. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from california. so many as are in favor say aye.