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Union lobbying Snowe, Collins on education bill

By Matthew Stone mstone@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

They were key to passing economic stimulus, a financial regulatory overhaul and an extension of benefits to the unemployed.

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Sen. Susan Collins, left, and Sen. Olympia Snowe

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Now, one of the nation's two largest teachers' unions sees U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, both R-Maine, as key to its hopes of shepherding a $10 billion education jobs bill to stave off thousands of teacher layoffs nationwide.

The National Education Association - whose Maine affiliate, the Maine Education Association, has 25,000 members - is courting Collins and Snowe's support for the jobs bill as a vote approaches.

The union sent five laid-off teachers to Washington, D.C., this week to lobby their states' senators.

One of the five was a teacher from Maine recently laid off from her position as a music teacher in Poland-based Regional School Unit 16.

The National Education Association estimates the $10 billion bill -- which shrank from its original $23 billion size before passing in the U.S. House earlier this month -- would save 138,000 education jobs nationally. The union says $39 million would go to Maine.

Spokesmen for Collins and Snowe said earlier this week the senators remain undecided on the bill.

"Sen. Snowe believes providing emergency funding for states to prevent teacher layoffs is important," said John Gentzel, Snowe's communications director.

However, Snowe "remains concerned about how it will be paid for," he said.

A spokesman for Collins also said the senator is waiting to take a look at how the $10 billion plan is funded.

"She is very concerned about adding to the already enormous deficit," said Kevin Kelley, Collins' communications director.

The bill passed in the House despite a veto threat from the White House, which opposed the way the bill was funded. The legislation, according to news reports, would have trimmed:

* $500 million from the Obama administration's signature $4.35 billion Race to the Top education reform competition;

* $200 million from the Teacher Incentive Fund meant to inspire performance-pay programs for teachers; and

* $100 million from a pot of money that funds charter schools.

The Obama administration is working with senators to find alternative ways to offset the cost of the $10 billion education jobs package, according to news reports.

"There's national concern about more deficit spending, but now it's paid for," said Chris Galgay, the Maine Education Association president. "The more important thing is that we keep educators in the classroom. That's our focus."

However, it's not a sure thing that a $10 billion infusion would even be able to return laid-off educators to Maine classrooms in time for the fall start of the new school year.

"I need to know a lot more about that package of money," said Augusta schools Superintendent Cornelia Brown. "Are those one-time dollars? Are there strings attached? There are so many unanswered questions."

David Connerty-Marin, a Maine Department of Education spokesman, said it's too early to know how and when the money, if approved by the Senate, might flow to local school districts.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education is preparing $40 million worth of budget cut recommendations in preparation for a mid-year spending curtailment.

That curtailment is likely if Congress doesn't approve a package of Medicaid funds.

"I'm not thinking about adding," Brown said. "I'm thinking about subtracting."

Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, ext. 435

mstone@centralmaine.com