Last night, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Congressman Cresent Hardy, who campaigned on an anti-education platform, criticized the president’s plan to make community college free for every responsible student.
According to the newspaper, “[Hardy] dismissed the president’s calls for free community college and more liberal employee paid sick leave as examples of ‘top-down politics.’ […] ‘We have good policies in place — the GI Bill,’ Hardy said. ‘If you want a free education, go serve your country for a couple of years and take that route.’”
“If Congressman Cresent Hardy had his way, Pell grants would be slashed, K-12 education funding would be cut, class sizes would increase, and teachers would be laid off,” said Tyrone Gayle of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Nevadans deserve better than a congressman who dismisses commonsense proposals that ensure everyone has a shot at a middle class life through a good education.”
The Reality of Congressman Cresent Hardy’s Education Record
Hardy Would Undermine the Department of Education. On his campaign website, Hardy writes, “I believe that decisions regarding the education of our children are best made at the local and state levels, rather than by the Federal Department of Education.” [Cresent Hardy for Congress website, accessed 1/21/15]
Department of Education Provides $244 Million to Nevada for Elementary and Secondary Level Programs. During FY 2014, the Department of Education is projected to provide $244,317,255 in funding for Nevada elementary and secondary level programs. [U.S. Department of Education, Funds for State Formula, last updated 1/06/15]
Department of Education Provides $148 Million in Pell Grants to Nevada. During FY 2014, the Department of Education is projected to provide $148,800,000 in funding for Nevada students seeking Pell Grants. [U.S. Department of Education, Funds for State Formula, last updated 1/06/15]
Hardy Served “As The Main Spokesman” at a Romney-Ryan Campaign Rally, where he Defended their Budget Priorities. In 2012, the Mesquite Citizen Journal reported that Cresent Hardy attended a Romney-Ryan campaign rally, where he served “as the main spokesman for Republican candidates.” At the event – held “outside the Romney/Ryan Headquarters in Mesquite” and organized by “the Communication Director for the Romney/Ryan campaign” – Hardy defended the ticket’s budget priorities. As the “main spokesman” for the Romney/Ryan campaign, Hardy fielded questions from the audience and defended their platform. [Mesquite Citizen Journal, 8/16/12]
Ryan Budget Would Cut K-12 Education Funding. According to a 2012 report by the Center for American Progress, “Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), chair of the House Budget Committee, offered up a budget proposal today for fiscal year 2013 that would significantly cut discretionary government spending. This means a damaging cut to federal K-12 education funding is likely in his sight. The House proposal groups education, training, employment, and social services into one budget function that would be cut by about 20 percent from FY 2012 levels. Though the plan does not include details about which programs within this broad budget function would be affected, based on previous House budget plans, we can safely assume education would suffer cuts.” [Center for American Progress, 3/20/12]
Hardy’s Platform included Breaking Up the Clark County School District and Vouchers. “Nevada also needs education reform, [Hardy] said, starting with the break-up of the Clark County School District, the introduction of vouchers, and the expansion of the charter school program.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 5/23/10]
Hardy Voted Against Funding Plan that would have Helped Prevent Teacher Layoffs and Increased Class Sizes. “With the Assembly’s passage Saturday of a $2.2 billion two-year public education spending bill, Clark County schools might avoid laying off teachers or increasing class sizes, a top administrator said. ‘This is very promising to us,’ said Clark County School District Associate Superintendent Joyce Haldeman. ‘It is a much more optimistic budget than we thought we were going to have.’ However, 600 central office administrators and support staff jobs are expected to be eliminated, she said. ‘We may not have to lay off many more than that,’ Haldeman said. ‘It’s still a lot. In my office, I lost four positions. The reasons why those cuts are on the books is we are trying to keep the cuts away from kids.’…In the Assembly, members voted 34-4 for Assembly Bill 579, the school funding plan. All Assembly Democrats voted for the bill. Voting no were Republicans John Hambrick and Richard McArthur, both R-Las Vegas; Cresent Hardy, R-Mesquite; and John Ellison, R-Elko. The school funding plan is part of a budget deal, brokered by Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval and key lawmakers, that requires extending taxes that were due to expire.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 6/05/11]