The underlying question we must ask in this debate is `Do we believe in local control?' If we say that our local teachers, administrators, and parents should have control over the education of students, we must carry though with that ideal and hand over the decision making authority for education dollars to these individuals. I fundamentally believe in local control because the people in my community who dedicate their lives to educating children know better than Members of Congress how funds could best serve our students.

In addition, when I visit schools in my district, teachers and administrators tell me they need more funds for education and fewer regulatory requirements from the Federal Government. This legislation begins to focus on the problem of Federal Government regulations and takes step to eliminate the requirements for funding with which teachers and administrators must comply. For example, I strongly support the expansion of the ED-FLEX program to all 50 States included in this bill. This program provides the regulatory flexibility that the schools in my area are asking for and I am an advocate of expansion.

I share the concerns of my Democratic colleagues that historically block grants lead to cuts in funding over time. I plan to be vigilant in assuring that the Federal Government continues to provide adequate education funding. As always, this battle will be fought in the appropriations process, and I plan to be a leader in assuring education funds are not cut. Supporters of education must continue to work within the constraints of the budget to assure education is made a top priority.

While I feel this bill is a small step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done to improve our public school system. I will support this bill but I feel very strongly that we cannot let the changes incorporated in the legislation lead to cuts in education funding.