Bennet: To Compete and Create Jobs, America Must Focus on Innovation, Education and Deficit Reduction

Bruce Randolph School in Denver Held Out as Example of Education Reform in President’s Speech

Washington, DC – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement in response to the President’s State of the Union Address:

“The President’s emphasis on working together to fulfill the shared aspirations we have for our kids and our country was spot on. It’s the same message I heard over the last 22 months in town hall meetings all over Colorado . It’s time to change the tone in Washington and start having a serious conversation about how to make our country more competitive, strengthen our public schools and slow our rising deficits and mounting debt.

“The President was right to hold out Bruce Randolph in Denver as a shining example of what we can achieve when teachers, parents, principals and entire communities come together to improve the odds for our kids. Washington needs to learn from their example, and I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis to bring their voices to the conversation on how we reform No Child Left Behind. Our goal for education must be preparing all our kids for success in college and the 21st century job market. We can’t be satisfied until the zip code you’re born in no longer dictates the quality of education you receive. We can’t let up until every kid has the opportunity to realize their full potential.

“I also appreciated the President’s focus on jobs and our economy. We need a long-term strategy to encourage entrepreneurship and investment and support our ability to compete in the 21st century. A tax code that spurs a new wave of innovation and creates and keeps jobs in America must be central to that strategy, and we must also commit to reducing the crushing debt that undermines our economic future.

“We face a tremendous set of challenges. It’s time to put politics aside and work together to build the future we want for our kids and grandkids.”