Stimulus Package Could Save Teacher Jobs

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Gov. Bob Riley says Alabama could get
about $1 billion over two years for public education from the
federal economic stimulus package.
The governor told high school students Monday in a live telecast
that the stimulus package would allow Alabama to avoid making more
big cuts in education spending. But he says Alabama is looking at
widespread layoffs and larger class sizes if the stimulus package
fails in the U.S. Senate.
Riley made his remarks shortly before the state Finance
Department released a report showing sales tax collections are down
nearly 9 percent and income tax collections down about 8 percent
through the first four months of the state's fiscal year. Those two
taxes are the primary sources of funding for Alabama's public
schools.


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