RAMSTAD VOTES AGAINST IDEA BILL

WASHINGTON – Saying it “severely shortchanges local school districts and children with special needs,” U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) today voted against the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

“I deeply regret that Congress is once again cheating our local school districts and children with disabilities by failing to live up to its funding commitment to special education,” said Ramstad. 

“This special education reauthorization bill is bad for children with disabilities and bad for our public schools and local taxpayers,” said Ramstad.

“I was very disappointed that the Rules Committee would not even allow a vote in the full House on the Bass amendment to require full federal funding, which means 40 percent of special education costs to our local school districts,” said Ramstad.

“Congress should keep its promise made in 1975 to local school districts that the federal government fund 40 percent of the costs of special education,” said Ramstad.  “Unfortunately, the federal government has never funded more than 18 percent!” 

“It is long past time for Congress to fully fund these special education mandates, which would free up state and local tax revenues for local education needs and help our school districts in Minnesota which are facing serious financial problems,” said Ramstad.

“The unfunded special education mandates are a financial disaster for local school districts,” said Ramstad.

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