Steven Horsford on Education

Don't gut education; get best teachers in the classrooms

• Make sure the federal government is investing in Nevada students and strengthening our schools;
• Get our children ready for the 21st century economy by supporting early childhood education and increase funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs;
• Address the challenges in the Race to the Top criteria that prevented additional federal funding from being secured to help our kids succeed in the classroom;
• Work with local school districts to emphasize STEM education so that math and science classes are rigorous ensuring our children are ready to compete;
• Make sure we have the best teachers in the classrooms and hold them accountable.

Restore budget cuts for K-12 public education

Opinion in support by John Oceguera, the incoming speaker of the Nevada Assembly: The governor's budget cuts $668 million in state support for K-12, a cut of 27%. These proposed cuts, on top of cuts made in the last two years, will likely result in teacher layoffs, even larger classes, fewer career and technical education opportunities and elimination of full-day kindergarten and other programs proven to help students learn.

Gov. Sandoval's veto message: Were this bill to be enacted into law, insufficient revenue would be available for the Legislature to meets its obligation to prepare a balanced budget encompassing all areas of state responsibility..

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 26-16-0 on May/10/11; Passed Senate 11-10-0 on May/10/11; Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford voted YES; Vetoed by Governor Brian Sandoval on May/16/11.

Sponsored extending subsidized federal student loan rates until 2015.

Congressional Summary:Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend the 3.4% interest rate on Federal Direct Stafford loans to loans first disbursed to undergraduate students between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2015. Replaces the [termination date of] 2013 with 2015.

Proponent's argument for bill:(US PIRG press release): The Student Loan Affordability Act keeps interest rates affordable for students over the next two years. If Congress fails to act by July 1, interest rates on federal Subsidized Stafford Loans will double from 3.4% to 6.8%. That would hike the cost of college by $1,000 per student, per loan, for over 7 million students across the country. The bill pays for extending the current interest rates through 2015 by closing three non-education tax loopholes.

Opponent's argument against bill:(Rep. Tom Cotton, R-AR): Unfortunately, too many students today struggle for years to repay their loans because Washington politicians dictate student-loan rates and end up hurting students and taxpayers alike. It's causing tuition costs to skyrocket, leaving students buried in debt, often without jobs, and forced to delay buying a home and starting a family. As students struggle to repay their loans--regardless of the interest rate--taxpayers are on the hook for a $100 billion bailout--a burden hard-working Arkansans shouldn't have to bear. A better path is to let Arkansas's hometown banks work with students and families to finance higher education, just as they do with homes, farms, businesses, and other loans. I'm committed to bringing affordable higher education to every Arkansan and ending the federal-government monopoly on the student-lending business.

Voted YES on private lawsuits for school race discrimination.

Legislative Summary:This bill authorizes private civil causes of action for discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin, including anti-Semitism) in programs receiving federal financial assistance.

Trump's Statement of Administration Policy (against): The Administration strongly opposes passage of H.R. 2574. This bill fails to advance equality in education, while expanding bureaucracy, encouraging burdensome litigation, and imposing costs on recipients of Federal financial assistance. H.R. 2574 seeks to validate and expand the divisive regulatory agenda of the previous administration--advancing an ideological mission and enriching favored special interests like trial lawyers at the expense of students, educators, and taxpayers. The bill would require each recipient of Federal financial assistance to appoint a compliance coordinator, which would impose additional administrative burdens. H.R. 2574 would redirect vital resources that are needed to serve students in the pursuit of an ideological agenda.

Rep. Elaine Luria in support: H.R. 2574 would allow private individuals to file lawsuits under the Civil Rights Act's Title VI authority, allowing students and parents to remedy discrimination in education. "Every student has the right to access public education, free from discriminatory practices, said Congresswoman Luria. "By focusing on equity and inclusion, we move towards a public education system that is more just and will benefit every student, regardless of sex, ethnicity, ability, or their zip code."

Legislative outcome:Passed House 232-188-10, roll no. 192 on Sept 16, 2020; died in Senate without a vote.