U.S. Senate passes bill to save teacher, police jobs
Legislation sought by Democrats to prevent layoffs of tens of thousands of teachers, police and other public workers in the U.S. has passed the Senate.
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The bill would help states and local school boards deal with severe budget problems. It would preserve the jobs of perhaps 300,000 public employees by extending programs in last year’s stimulus law. It passed 61-39 in the Senate Thursday, after months of Republican blocking tactics.
North Carolina was hoping for as much as $500 million in federal funds to fill holes in the state budget. The allotment for each state has yet to be determined.
House leader Nancy Pelosi is calling lawmakers back to Washington next week from their summer vacation to cast the final votes to deliver the bill to President Barack Obama.
Unlike the economic stimulus bill, the $26 billion measure would not increase the budget deficit since it is paid for with spending cuts and tax increases on U.S. companies operating overseas.
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