Potosnak Discusses Education and His Opponent's Politics at Hillsborough Press Conference

Democratic Congressional nominee Ed Potosnak spoke before a small crowd of teachers and officials Wednesday to express his support for the Education, Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which Congress passed Tuesday. Potosnak criticized his opponent, Republican Congressman Leonard Lance (7th District), for voting against the bill .

"This year, education came under attack with some of the biggest cuts in funding," Potosnak said. "We are weathering the first economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the best way to help is to provide education to our children."

Potosnak, speaking across the street from Auten Road Intermediate School in Hillsborough, emphasized the relationship between education, economic recovery and international power.

"Where once America ranked at the top in math and science, now we are in the bottom third of all technological nations," he said. "I am committed to making sure we come back on top."

The Education, Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which President Barack Obama signed into law Tuesday evening, aims to save and create 319,000 jobs, including 161,000 teacher jobs. The bill contains $10 billion in funding for education, as well as $16.1 billion in health assistance to states.

In New Jersey alone, Potosnak said, this could mean an additional $268 million for schools and the protection of nearly 4,000 teacher jobs. "Thankfully, Congress stepped up to counter [the decrease in the quality of the schools]," he said. "And I promise to continue to get the job done."

Potosnak criticized his opponent, Leonard Lance, arguing that the congressman failed to protect the interests of the seventh district's constituents by voting against the bill. "We have to tell Mr. Lance that students are not special interest," he said. "He sided once again with the Republicans. When we really needed him, he cast his vote [against the teachers]."

He alleged that Lance's vote was part of a larger trend. "When Mr. Lance is given the opportunity to side with the families of his district, he sides against them and with the national party," he said after the press conference. "It is a consistent pattern in which he is looking out for his job, rather than at keeping jobs. My commitment is to put the needs of the district first."

Potosnak is, himself, a former educator. For eight years at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, he taught teachers how to lead chemistry lessons. He has made education a key platform in his campaign.

At the press conference, he called for more programs that would help older teachers become more familiar and comfortable with using computers in their classrooms. He proposed turning to local businesses for funds and donations of equipment, a method that found success in Bridgewater, he said.

"All of this technology was from industries in Bridgewater giving grants. They were willing to step up. But I'm not sure schools should be a charity."

He also criticized Gov. Chris Christie's approach to education issues. "The rhetoric I've heard from Gov. Christie is demeaning," he said. "What this new bill [from Congress] does is show teachers how important their jobs are."

Many of those who attended the press conference were teachers, including Jeff Smith, who said he was laid off by the Edison school district after one year on the job. "I don't like what the Republicans are doing to the state,"  Smith said. "It is hard to see how much the students are affected."

After the press conference, Potosnak said that he would like to participate in a debate with Lance. "I think it is important for a lively discussion so voters can see how different our policies are," he said. "I know voters will be eager to see that when Mr. Lance is given the opportunity, he sides against the district and with the national party."

For coverage of Rep. Leonard Lance's press conference, which also took place Wednesday, click here.