Whether the bill will garner enough bipartisan support for passage remains to be seen, Fuller says. The House Ways and Means Committee, which has defeated the proposal once, is looking at it again. It's also being considered by the House Committee. on Education and the Workforce. Other proposals and amendments are likely to be offered in the weeks ahead. For NSBA, one sticking point is whether the bond monies will fall under the provisions of the Bacon-Davis Act, which requires construction projects using federal funds to pay prevailing union wages.
Some lobbyists see some advantage in the bill being considered in an election year.
Raul Botello, spokesperson for National People's Action, a coalition of grassroots neighborhood groups, is optimistic that Congress could come to some agreement. Copyright 2000, National School Boards Association. This article may be printed out and photocopied for individual or educational use, provided this copyright notice appears on each copy. This article may not be otherwise transmitted or reproduced in print or electronic form without the consent of the Publisher.