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Obama pushes Congress to help states hire teachers

 
Tampa Bay Times
Published June 10, 2012

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama wants Congress to help states rehire teachers and act on a key part of last year's jobs bill. He said the last thing the United States needs is to have fewer teachers in our schools.

Obama said in his radio and Internet address Saturday that many states have been squeezed by the recession and have been forced to lay off teachers — about 250,000 across the nation.

Obama said Congress needs to act on part of last year's jobs bill that would prevent more layoffs and rehire more teachers who lost their jobs.

In response, Republicans said Obama's policies stand in the way of a stronger economy. Minnesota congressman Erik Paulsen said House Republicans will push plans to boost domestic energy production and stop tax increases on small businesses.