US Budget Woes Put Teachers, Emergency Responders on Chopping Block

VOAVideo: US Budget Woes Put Teachers, Emergency Responders on Chopping Block

A proposal to send federal assistance to cash-strapped local governments across America has been defeated in the U.S. Senate, 50 to 50, short of the 60 votes needed for passage. The measure would have provided $35 billion to keep teachers, police officers, and fire fighters on payrolls as cities and counties grapple with continued budget shortfalls. The spending would have been offset by a slight boost in taxes paid by millionaires.