Bill Passed to Prevent Layoffs of Teachers, Police and Other Public Workers

Posted: Aug 5, 2010 11:40 AM by Melissa Canone

WASHINGTON (AP) - Legislation long sought by Democrats to
prevent layoffs of tens of thousands of teachers, police and other
public workers has passed the Senate.
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 across the country by extending programs
in last year's stimulus law. It passed 61-39 Thursday, after months
of blocking tactics by Republicans.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling House 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 stimulus bill, the $26 billion measure wouldn't
increase the budget deficit since it's paid for with spending cuts
and tax increases on U.S. companies operating overseas.

Topics: Bill, Passed, to, Prevent, Layoffs, of, Teachers, Police, and, Other, Public, Workers