Rep. Fudge Announces $1 Billion in Recovery Funds for Ohio
June 20, 2009 by mlfudge
Filed under Education, Featured Articles, Issues
U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that Ohio received over $1 billion in State Stabilization funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Ohio will be eligible to apply for an additional $590 million this fall. The state received today’s funding as a result of its successful completion of Part 1 of the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund application. Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) was a proud supporter of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which she believes “is a strong first step in rebuilding our nation’s economy.”
States are required to use the vast majority of State Stabilization assistance to restore funding for primary, secondary, post-secondary and, in some cases, early childhood education. Funding can be used to save related jobs, such as bus drivers, administrators and teachers. Secretary Duncan emphasized that State Stabilization dollars must also drive education innovation and reform.
“The $1 billion Ohio will receive today is part of the single largest boost in education funding in recent history,” said Secretary Duncan. “The President’s leadership, and support from Congress, have made this historic investment possible. Ohio can now utilize these funds to save jobs and lay the groundwork for a generation of education reform.”
“Ohio has the opportunity to invest in the next generation through education reform while saving jobs and boosting the economy,” said Rep. Fudge. “I sincerely hope Governor Strickland will use the funds according to their mandated purpose so all Ohioans will benefit.”
To date, Ohio has received $432 million in education funds from the Recovery Act. On April 1, Ohio received$186 million for Title I and $233 million for IDEA. This is only 50 percent of the total amount of Title I and IDEA funding for which Ohio is eligible. On the same date, Ohio also received $11 million in Vocational Rehabilitation funds and $2 million in Independent Living funds.
Rep. Fudge Criticizes ODOT Reallocation of Recovery Act Funds
May 2, 2009 by mlfudge
Filed under News, Recovery and Reinvestment Act
WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH- United States Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) took a positive and progressive role for the 11th Congressional District by supporting the Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Much of the funding from this law was allocated for road and bridge construction and resurfacing streets.
From the Recovery Act, Cuyahoga County was allocated approximately $220 million to be distributed by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for work on the Interstate 90 Bridge project and on University Circle. Without any notice to Rep. Fudge, ODOT reallocated approximately $115 million of the original funds to other projects throughout the State of Ohio.
“Approximately $220 million was allocated to Cuyahoga County by President Obama through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. My constituents deserve an explanation of why ODOT arbitrarily took significant funds destined to create jobs and improve roads away from the 11th District of Ohio,” stated Rep. Fudge.
Rep. Fudge only learned of the reallocation after staff discovered a report by the Associated Press. Despite attempts to contact ODOT, Rep. Fudge has yet to receive a sufficient response to her concerns.
