[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF THE CLASSROOM MODERNIZATION ACT

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                          HON. JOHNNY ISAKSON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 2000

  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join Chairman Goodling as a 
co-sponsor the Classroom Modernization Act of 2000 to pay for federally 
mandated construction cost and start-up costs for charter school 
construction.
  For years, the Federal Government has passed construction-related 
mandates on to local school boards for everything from asbestos removal 
and handicap access, to special education classrooms and IDEA related 
cost. Each requirement has failed to include a single dollar of federal 
money. Our proposal will fund these unfunded mandates and free up local 
dollars for school improvement.
  The $150 Million dollars for start-up charter school related 
construction cost would be meaningful in expanding new charter school 
applications, and for more private sector and parental involvement in 
local schools. Both the White House and the Congress have verbally 
promoted the public charter school movement, and now we are making a 
meaningful financial commitment to charter schools.

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