Dem Govs Call for $250 Billion in Stimulus For Schools

The Democratic governors of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio and Wisconsin said Friday that they want $250 billion in federal aid for schools in the 50 states, reports Politicker.

The governors said the money is needed for public schools at all levels — from kindergarten to colleges.

“Our country risks halting or reversing the progress that we’ve made on education,” said Gov. Deval Patrick (D-Mass.).

The money would be part of a federal stimulus. The governors on the conference call, which included David Paterson (N.Y.), Jon Corzine (N.J.), Ted Strickland (Ohio) and Jim Doyle (Wis.), are also pushing for money for infrastructure projects, Medicaid and other social welfare programs.

The money for schools would be used over a two-year period, and funding levels for the states’ schools would return to their current levels afterward.