Congressional Summary:Make grants to states for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public schools, including early learning facilities and charter schools, to make them safe, healthy, high-performing, and technologically up-to-date.
Proponent's argument to vote Yes: Rep. BETSY MARKEY (D, CO-4): This legislation will improve the learning environment for our children, reduce energy costs and create new jobs across the country. Green schools not only save school districts money but also teach the importance of sustainable living to children at a young age.
Opponent's argument to vote No:
Rep. GLENN THOMPSON (R, PA-5): We all know our Nation is drowning in a sea of red ink. The bill we're debating today would add an estimated $40 billion in new spending. And despite the majority's hollow promises of fiscal responsibility, there's nothing in the legislation to offset this hefty price tag with spending reductions elsewhere. This is just more of the same borrow and spend, spend and borrow policy that we've seen under this majority and this administration.
Reference: 21st Century Green Schools Act;
Bill H.R.2187
; vote number 2009-H259
on May 14, 2009
$25B to renovate or repair elementary schools.
Carson signed Fix America's Schools Today Act (FAST)
Fix America's Schools Today (FAST) Act of 2011:
Authorizes $25 billion to carry out this title, which shall be available until Sept. 30, 2012
Allocates grants to states and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to modernize, renovate, or repair early learning or elementary or secondary education facilities.
Requires grants be allocated directly to the 100 LEAs with the largest numbers of children aged 5-17 living in poverty, to modernize, renovate, or repair such facilities.
Requires states to give subgrant priority to projects that comply with certain green building standards.
Prohibits the use of such grants for new construction or routine maintenance costs.
Reserves funds for a survey, by the National Center for Education Statistics, of nationwide public school construction, modernization, renovation, and repair needs.
Allocates grants to states to modernize, renovate, or repair existing facilities at community colleges.
Requires, with certain exceptions, the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in projects funded by this Act to be domestic.
Applies the prevailing wage rate requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act to projects assisted pursuant to this Act.
