Democrats Vote To Cut School Bus Funding

Block Republican Attempt to Protect Manufacturing Jobs at Triad-Based Thomas Built Buses

Raleigh, N.C. – Democrats in the State Senate voted yesterday to spend $15 million on unproven electronic devices that supposedly help teachers determine if a child needs additional academic help.  At the same time, they slashed $12 million in funding to buy new school buses.  Much of that money would benefit Triad-based Thomas Built Buses.  Thomas Built Buses employs approximately 1,600 people at its North Carolina facility.  (“Senate leaders approve budget proposal,” News & Observer, 5/20/10)
 
Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) made the following statement:
 
“Unemployment in North Carolina and the Triad is stuck in double digits.  Governor Perdue and Senate Democrats continue to fail to prioritize state spending.  Yesterday, they chose to spend $15 million on unproven electronic gadgets for public schools from a New York-based company that makes their product outside of our state.  To do so, they cut $12 million in funding for school buses.  Much of that money would have been spent with North Carolina-based Thomas Built buses.”

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