WHERE / WHEN:
Thursday, September 2, 2010
J.P. Stevens High School in Edison, NJ
WHO:
Ed Potosnak, Democratic candidate for New Jersey's 7th Congressional district, stood with Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) in opposition to the shameful politicking being done at the expense of New Jersey's students and schools. Potosnak was joined by Congressman Honda at J.P. Stevens High School in Edison, NJ to decry actions taken by New Jersey Governor Christie and Potosnak's opponent, Congressman Lance, that impact New Jersey's schools.
"I know that when politicians undermine our children's schools, they undermine our future. Here in New Jersey, our future has been undermined by some for their personal political ambitions," said Potosnak, referencing Governor Christie's $800 billion cuts to New Jersey's education budget earlier this year.
"He chose to put political ideology above the interests of children when he threw out the original "Race to the Top" application because teachers had collaborated in the process. In a cynical move calculated to score political points for his national political ambitions, Christie chose to go it alone and submit a hastily crafted application written in one weekend without consultation from educators. New Jersey's students have lost out, twice now this year, to the tune of $1.2 billion."
Reiterating his criticism of Congressman Lance's vote against the jobs of 4,000 New Jersey teachers, Potosnak said, "Times are tough and we all have to make sacrifices. But time and again, Republicans like Governor Christie and Congressman Lance expect students to sacrifice their future to pay for adult mistakes."
"When I go to Congress, I can promise you that I won't make students pay for the financial gambles of adults. I'll work to protect our schools and improve them and fight any attempt to cut vital education funding," concluded Potosnak. "When we make our students a priority, America wins. That's how we will get our edge back.
It has been 21 days since Ed invited Congressman Lance to debates in each of the four counties in the 7th district. Congressman Lance still has not responded.
