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Subscribe to RSSEducation Secretary Arne Duncan today said he misspoke when suggesting last week that some schools were already issuing "pink slips," because of the sequester budget cuts.
Still, Duncan noted that some districts are voluntarily making cuts in anticipation of the across-the-board cuts that will affect their federal aid.
"Language is really, really important, and I want to apologize for not being as clear as I should have been last week," he said in a press availability at the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools conference.
"When I said 'pink slips,' that was probably the wrong word. I should have used 'job eliminations,' 'positions eliminated,'" he said. "We had a little drama, got it. Lessons learned on all sides, got it."
Last week, Duncan specifically referenced Kanawha County in West Virginia as a district that had distributed “pink slips.” But according to the Washington Post, that county’s superintendent said that while some Title 1 teachers who work with high-poverty students may have received “transfer notices,” they were not explicitly linked to the sequester.
But Duncan said on Monday that he never meant to imply that all the funding from Kanawha or any other district was at risk simply because of the sequester, saying that whether cuts are “due in part or in large part or sometimes exclusively [because of the sequester] is going to vary story by story.”
He said that some school districts rely on several sources of federal aid, some of which may see more immediate effects from sequestration than others.
“These guys aren't just hit with Impact Aid cuts. They're hit with Special Ed cuts. They're hit with Title 1 cuts. They might not have money for English language learners. We can try harder to articulate that, but the bottom line is school districts were being hit with cuts to, you know, federal funding cuts in different pots, and all that has an impact,” he said.
Yet the sequester itself might have its most immediate education impact on the group Duncan spoke to on Monday: Impact Aid districts, which need federal aid to make up for a shortage in property taxes (because their districts are on or near Native American reservations or military bases).
Duncan urged the leaders to keep the pressure on Congress by publicizing the cuts they've had to make.
“The more you guys can feed us these stories ... we're going to keep telling these stories until Congress pays attention,” he said.
Ron Walker, a school superintendent in Kansas whose district relies on federal Impact Aid, said he had to cut certain projects for this school year "solely" as a proactive effort against the sequester.
“I guess I'm a realist and I didn't have any illusions that this could be avoided. I felt that the polarization was so large that we had to take action,” Walker said.
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Go figure!
Someone who is actually capable of apologizing for their error!
Contrition is a foreign concept to the RWNJ's!
They prefer to blame everyone but themselves as demonstrated ever so eloquently by the Romney's yesterday!
The Republican Congress knows full well what damage the sequester is going to have across the board. They can't, they won't work with President Obama. And so once again, we the people pay the price. They don't know a thing about governing. They don't know a thing about what the USA stands for around the world.
Republicans should be voted out of office at every level. The damage they have inflicted on America is mind boggling.
Why isn't Obama going after Corporate tax increases? Why go after individual tax hikes, like he did Jan 1st, but Corporate taxes remain unchanged?
I believe he is for income equality, however his acolytes still adhere to the same failed policies that brought us to the "Rich" getting uber rich, as well as increased poverty levels.
According to the Bonehead on MTP, he says "we" have not a clear idea as to what is going to happen with sequester fallout in the coming months (paraphrasing), but I guess the GOP just figured "Meh, let's just do it anyway!"
I already know of three people working in defense who have been furloughed one day a week.
2013 State of the Union - Obama Renews Call For Elimination Of Some Corporate Tax Loopholes
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/12/state-of-the-union-corporate-tax-loopholes_n_2674097.html
AlaskaGirl - let's be honest, the cuts are unclear to both sides.
Both sides probably secretly wanted defense cuts, but without the sequester, had nothing to blame cutting the massive defense budget, probably looked to the sequester as a way to reduce the defense budget without taking personal blame.
I'm talking about increasing Corp tax rate, not closing loopholes.
Why Republicans Can’t Propose
Spending Cuts
"Where are the president's spending cuts?" asks John Boehner. Republicans demand that President Obama produce an offer of higher spending cuts, and Obama replies that Republicans should say what spending cuts they want, and Republicans insist that Obama should try to guess what kind of spending cuts they would like.
Republicans think government spending is huge, but they can't really identify ways they want to solve that problem, because government spending is not really huge. That is to say, on top of an ideological chasm between the two parties, we have a thinking void. The Republican understanding of government spending is based on hazy, abstract notions that don't match reality and can't be translated into an achievable program.
When the only cuts on the table would inflict real harm on people with modest incomes and save small amounts of money that is a sign that there's just not much money to save. It's not just that Republicans disagree with this; they don't seem to understand it. The absence of a Republican spending proposal is not just a negotiating tactic but a howling void where a specific grasp of the role of government ought to be. And negotiating around that void is extremely hard to do. The spending cuts aren't there because they can't be found.
Math is hard
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2012/12/why-republicans-cant-propose-spending-cuts.html
@ Michelle: No, not so. President Obama and some of the cabinet members have outlined what they believe will be the fallout. Have they perhaps inflated the numbers? That may be, time will tell. But, on MTP, Boehner did state that he doesn't know what the impact will be. Now, I would imagine that Boehner has just as much access to the numbers as Obama and his cabinet members do.
Well, of course, the Dems wanted cuts to the defense budget. I think the Republicans, behind close doors and in whispers, are finally okay with some defense budget cuts, but they won't necessarily speak it out loud because it goes against the party line.
@AlaskaGirl - I'm in full agreement about Repubs being OK with defense cuts, without offending the lobbyist.
Not sure about the cuts and where the fallout lies, but that would just be opinion. I don't think that the cuts are set in stone as of yet.
Oh, I should have stated in my above post 1.3, that if anyone believes that Boehner doesn't know what Sequester is going to do(to the lower and middle class only), then he is a big fat liar. The GOP is doing what they always do and that is to protect the "top earners" and put the screws to the rest of us, and that includes many a Republican.
Republicans felt that they had the upper hand on the sequester. They already passed the tax increases, taking revenues off of the table. Obama backed himself into a corner, guessing that Repubs would cave in again.
Boehner grew a set of balls and let the sequester happen. I'm curious is he will continue to show a spine on the coming government shutdown.
Well, I disagree there, but with your comment about Boehner's spine, are you saying that you agree with a government shutdown? Oh, yeah, you probably do as you are a Libertarian (last week, anyway). I find it unbelievable that anyone would agree that a full government shutdown is anything but disastrous for our country.
By the way, Michelle, did you get hit in the head over the weekend? I ask because you are not normally this cordial in discussions such as this, with "us". Don't get me wrong, I actually find myself not needing to vomit! (Jokes!)
No, I'm not condoning a shutdown. And, yes, I'm libertarian.
I also agree that short term the sequestration is bad for the economy, but long term it is actually good.
And "no" i didn't get hit in the head, just thought that I would want my kids to show more respect and manners than I have been showing on this thread, and I guess I regret that. My apologies!!
I agree, we do need to do more to cut spending(responsibly, and not gutting the already hurting poor and middle incomes) and get the deficit going down. I am not against that. I am against the Republican party constantly "attacking" the vulnerable in an already fragile economy. This sequestration has the ability of really hurting people (even more so in certain factions of the population) and that I cannot abide. I think if our leaders had ALL been a little more willing to put aside the the D or R before their names and really come together for the good of ALL in this country, they would have taken a different approach to the cutting. I think the only people beyond the worry, are the top 2% in this country. I think the rest of us are concerned, and rightly so. I know I am given the line of work I am in.
Sorry, you made me laugh with your response to not getting hit in the head! :)
Yes, that old adage of "practice what you teach". Yeah, I changed it to fit your job.
So when will the rest of the Dems apologize for their 'chicken little' remarks. Nothing like a made up crisis to get the libs lying.
Unfortunately, it would seem the president has lost credibility over his remarks. Correction, not to the liberal element of FR.
@funnygirl2: Why do you even bother to comment? Is it to see your written word? You never offer any substantive comments, ever. You are a one or two liner hack.
If you think that sequestration is a "made up crisis" then you are truly the fool I've always thought you are.
No, President Obama loses no credibility whatsoever. You however, have never had to worry about credibility. You "ain't" got any.
Alaska,
Hate to break this to you, but Obama's approval rating dropped on Friday from 51% to 47%. It doesn't look too good for Team Obama... And just to be clear, Obama was everywhere whining that the world would end if the cuts took effect. He paraded out every cabinet member he could muster for them to say that the US would be literally over...and guess what? Here it is Monday and everything moves along like it always will. Just like he said on Jan 1st when the payroll tax hike took effect...nothing changed and everyone just got a bit more mad at Obama.
Alaska, You are amazing. When you talk about the Queen of the two-liners, you must be talking about the FR Redhead, who constantly chips in with the two liners while never contributing.
Also look at your comments, and see that you only contribute vile comments to anyone who questions your self-superior attitude.
Go troll someone who actually cares.
What kind of a country do we live in where school funding is laced with uncertainty, but Republicans assure hedge fund managers they will keep their tax loopholes? There, there, super rich private equity managers, no one will mess with your income.
I like Arnie Duncan and I am pleased that he made a correction to his remarks last week.
We knew what you meant, Secretary Duncan but are happy you clarified it for the conservatively challenged and the word-gamers. Maybe if the Press spent less time on "gotcha", less time interrupting guests and more time on the actual cuts that will result, the people might have of better understanding of what will happen in the weeks, months and years ahead if we continue down Austerity Road.
Education is a key to OUR economic future, one wonders why at state and federal levels the GOPTPers keep cutting taxes for the wealthy and big business while starving public education for the rest of the people in a state.
Jody, I think we all know why they want to cut education - the educated tend to vote democratic. Would love to see if those Charter Schools get funding cuts, you know, those schools where they teach the U.S. was founded on Judeo-Christian values and gun values, and the earth was formed in 6 days some 6,000 years ago, by some intelligent guy packing a gun, and that man and his best friend, the dinosaur, went for dino-walks in the dino-parks, and last but not least, Palestine is a figment of one's imagination.
It's a simple mistake, he got caught up in Obama's proclamations of gloom and doom. People where supposed to be begging in the streets on March 1st. As it turns out Obama was just on another fear mongering campaign and this guy bought in to it. Give him a break. Why should he have to be more honest than the POTUS. We survived the Mayan calendar, we can survive Obama's sequestration.
Whenever education cuts are on the referendum, the school board always touts about how cutting the school budget will cause loss of programs to the handicapped, and we as teachers are given talking points to spout to all our friends and neighbors.
sane Please stop saying insane comments.
I'm gonna hold onto your comment, Sane.
P.S. Are you the only hold-out left that puts sequestration entirely in Obama's lap? Get enlightenment oh (in)sane one. The president proposed it and the Republicans fell over each other to agree with it in their votes. Truth be told, everyone knows (well, maybe not you) that sequestration is not good for this economy right now, at a time when the economy is poised to take off in a more positive trajectory this is the last thing we need.
at a time when the economy is poised to take off in a more positive trajectory this is the last thing we need.
Haven't we heard that line for the past 5 years? All that has happened is the economy has limped along in the worst post recession recovery in history while the government has borrowed more and more and gone deeper and deeper into debt. We are now at the point where people actually feel 80 or so billion dollars cut out of trillion dollar deficits is the end of the world. How much debt piled on future generations do you feel is OK?
AG, I agree that these are not the best cuts, but they are those designed by Obama when he asked for sequester. Yes, congress agreed to it. And yet even these cuts are better for the country than yet more debt and yet more taxes on the rest of us. It was designed to and, it starting to look like, it has forced people back to the bargaining table to identify the correct cuts to be made. But I am pleased to see you imply that voting for it made it a product of both Obama and congress. Now if you would apply that same principle to the so call Bush wars that dems voted for. You may have a double standard issue.
I did not just imply that it was both sides that brought sequester into the mix. They did, and I've gotten sick and tired of hearing both sides(mostly Republicans) putting it on the other. Sequestration was proposed as a way that was supposed to make it so bad that neither side would want it to happen. Sequestration goes too hard too fast. If it is anywhere near as bad as some say, it just may drive us back into a recession as bad as 2008 when the @!$%# hit the fan.
No, no way will you or anyone else ever get me(or the other millions of people) to believe that since the Dems voted for the war in Iraq it is both parties screw up. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld "cooked the books" and drummed up falsities and out and out LIED to everyone. They provided false documentation, they provided very broad, yet vague information about WMD's, and that's just part of it. All members in Congress, at the time, were fed a bunch of bull @!$%# to get us into the Bush War. Don't even go there.
Also AG you don't know anyone who has been furlough as yet due to sequester. Any furlough requires a 30 notice before it will take effect. They may have had to discuss how the will adress it if and when it goes into effect, but it would not be before mid or late April.
How do you know what I know or don't know? For your information, I already know of three people in defense who have been furloughed one day a week. No joke. I was only told they were furloughed, I haven't asked if it is now or in a month or what, but it has happened.
Everybody on this thread seems to agree that the government needs to be cut, but when government workers get furloughed you don't like it. Will you never be pleased? Think of it as a business. Do you think the bosses are going to lay themselves off? They are to valuable to the business. If money is the issue the peons that can be replaced get the ax. I think this just a bunch of hype so the stock market can be tapped again for another bailout. For the good of the country. Be careful what you wish for.
Some will feel the impact of sequestration immediately others won't feel it for months but feel it they will. Even in Congress there are cuts being demanded. With all the problemss they need to work on the Congress is on vacation more than they are working and then they are going to be doing things with less staff. It seems that the 113th Congress may be even less productive than the 112th Congress.
I only know what you thought you knew AG. And thanks for fine display of blind obedience to whatever the party has told you to believe. But back to this topic, the man did not misspeak, he was not confused. He knowingly with full understanding that it was a lie said pink slips were being sent to teachers and schools were losing ability. He did it because he thought the lie was a better story than the truth. When did saying I "misspoke" become a free pass for liars? It has become the common practice of politicians in both parties. And several of you on this thread jump to his defense knowing as well as he did that he just plain lied.
See here is the deal Bucko, this is YOUR opinion!
In order for it to be factual, it is up to YOU to prove it!
The man misspoke and apologized which is a hell of a lot more than I can say for you and the manure you continue to spread!
The clock starts now... lol
I will second Feisty. Prove it. Duncan came out and he actually apologized for it. He used a poor choice of words which probably put many teachers into a panic. That part was ill timing, but I would suggest to you that it's probably not too far into the future that teachers and others will indeed be receiving their "pink slips". You refuse to see what is staring at you right in the face.
I only know what you thought you knew AG
No, I only stated that I don't know if their furloughs are immediate or not. I haven't had a chance to ask them that. You stated that none of this would go into effect until mid to late April. It's happening now. If you've got your furlough, but it doesn't go into effect until mid April, big deal. The cut is still there and allowances will have to be made now. Many people are already stretched just about as far as they can. The only thing I can understand about your thinking and some others is that you guys are sitting mighty pretty financially so this sequestration is really just a distant annoyance to you. We all worry about our economy and the the amount of debt, but there are too many people who really have no idea what many in our country are going through, and I'm only talking about people who hold full time jobs. It's getting harder and harder to make ends meet. I am single and make just under $40k before taxes, and I basically live pay check to pay check. I know many others in the same boat. It takes me over an hour to grocery shop just so I can make sure I am spending my grocery money wisely. I don't drive my truck on the weekends just so I can extend the gas a couple more work days. Those are just a couple of examples of my situation. There are others who aren't near as "lucky" as I am.
No Feisty there is no burden of proof on me. It is just common sense, he lied. He stated as fact conditions that never existed. He is the Education Chief, he had no reason to believe thousands of teachers were being notified of job less, yet stated it had taken place. He of all people would have known that not to be true. Of course he could just be wayyyy unqualified for his position I guess. Besides he said he was just trying to emphasize a point. i guess if the truth gets in the way you tell a better story. I figured even you would see through this one.