A New Congress
Pro-education candidates claimed big victories in the 2006 mid-term elections, while the latest political scourge to public education—the so-called “65 Percent Solution” and its equally deceptive partner, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), were roundly rejected by voters across the country. (All with the help of NEA’s members, of course!)
In Colorado, two “65 percent” ballot proposals, which would have required that two-thirds of education funding be spent in the classroom, cutting out libraries, nurses, custodians, and more, failed with just 38 percent of the vote. In Maine, Nebraska, and Oregon, voters also rejected TABOR, a door-opener for privatization.
At the national level, 14 of 15 Senate candidates recommended by NEA won, as did 72 percent of House candidates in targeted races, as Democrats took control of both. One of the losers? Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who earned an F on NEA’s most recent scorecard. Four new governors, including Ohio ’s Ted Strickland and Iowa ’s Chet Culver, are current or former NEA members.
“Now the task is to make sure lawmakers make good on campaign promises,” NEA President Reg Weaver said.
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