The Senate has been stalled for months on proposals to prevent teacher layoffs and help states foot the bill for Medicaid health benefits for the poor. Opponents - mostly Republicans - didn't want the measures adding to the deficit. So Democratic leaders made cuts elsewhere and dramatically scaled back the measures. Senator Sherrod Brown is glad extra federal help may soon make its way to Ohio.
BROWN - "Thousands of teachers who would have been laid off will return to the classroom late this month or early next month. And hundreds of thousands of students who thought they would not see their teachers again, are going to welcome teachers back to the classroom."
Even with the legislation scaled back and the cost offset, most Senate Republicans - including George Voinovich -- voted against moving forward citing remaining concerns.
The legislation still has some hurdles to clear before final passage -- including approval by House lawmakers who are already on recess.
