FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudine Battisti

UNITE-LA'S STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SIGNING OF SPENDING BILL

LOS ANGELES – UNITE-LA's President and CEO, David Rattray, released the following statement today in response to President Biden's signing of the spending bill:

"UNITE-LA applauds President Biden signing the $1.5 trillion spending bill that funds the government through September 2022, averting the prospect of a government shutdown and the threat of a year-long continuing resolution. UNITE-LA is pleased to see critical investments in the final spending bill, which will help address the cost of living for working families and bolster our nation's economy," said Rattray.

The spending bill increases non-defense funding by 6.7 percent, the largest increase in four years.

"Elements of UNITE-LA's Principles for a New Economy are sprinkled throughout the final spending bill, which call out what we believe is necessary to ensure a just and equitable recovery restructure," continued Rattray. "Specifically, we are pleased the bill increases education funding by $2.9 billion, with significant increases in Early Care and Education programs (an increase of $558 million) and Title I schools. The bill will also make college more affordable by increasing the maximum Pell Grant award to $6,895."

In his initial budget, President Biden proposed a 40 percent increase in education funding. After negotiations and significant trimming, the final omnibus bill only reflects a 3 percent increase in education over last year's spending.

"While we are pleased to see the increases in non-defense funding, we need a greater commitment to education. We also need more investments in a comprehensive national workforce development strategy, which will be critical to supporting businesses and workers in the course of our economic recovery," concluded Rattray.

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About UNITE-LA
Over the past 25 years, UNITE-LA has been a trusted business intermediary, dedicated to supporting the development of an effective local public education system, so that all children and youth succeed in college, career and beyond. Through the intersection of programming, policy, and systems change efforts, UNITE-LA works to increase access to high-quality early childhood education, develop career pathways in high-growth industries, improve college access and success, and ensure workforce readiness, especially for individuals with high barriers into the workforce. Visit www.unitela.com.