Tucson, Ariz. -- Today, Giffords for Congress released a new TV ad “Absolutely None,” highlighting the dangers of Jesse Kelly’s plan to cut more than $1 billion dollars more from Arizona schools.

The ad begins airing in the Tucson media market tonight.

Even as Arizona schools struggle under the weight of bigger class sizes, teacher layoffs and the elimination of full-day kindergarten in many districts, Kelly has repeatedly expressed opposition to any federal support for Arizona public schools and called for eliminating the Department of Education. This would deny Arizona schools and students more than $1 billion dollars every year in critically needed funding.

Kelly’s plan would also eliminate millions of dollars in federal student loans, such as Pell Grants. This would make it even harder for families trying to make ends meet to send their kids to college.

Gabrielle Giffords knows that Arizona’s most important resource -- and our most important long-term economic investment -- is our children. She voted to bring home $1.6 billion to Arizona schools last year alone. And this summer she voted for emergency funding to save more than 3,300 Arizona teachers’ jobs in a bill that was paid for by closing tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas.

She is a champion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education programs and voted in favor of the America COMPETES Act to provide over $33 billion in funding to STEM education.

Gabrielle also supported the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (HR 3221). This bill, which became law in March, reforms the system of federal student loans to save taxpayers $87 billion. It invests $77 billion of those savings back into education, including increasing the maximum Pell Grant from $5,350 in 2009 to $6,900 in 2019 and keeping interest rates low on subsidized federal student loans. It directs $10 billion back to the Treasury to reduce entitlement spending.

Gabrielle Giffords is a third generation Southern Arizonan and the only person in Congress with an active duty military spouse. Gabrielle is not like other politicians. She takes an independent view on the issues and was rated Arizona’s most moderate member of Congress by the National Journal in 2009. She’s voted against a Congressional pay raise every time one has come up, and she doesn’t make earmark requests for campaign contributors. Most importantly, Gabrielle stands up for Southern Arizona by working across the aisle to secure the border, protect our military and veterans and create jobs by investing in solar energy.

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Transcript of “Absolutely None”

[Gabrielle Giffords]

I’m Gabrielle Giffords and I approve this message.

[Jesse Kelly]

I can tell you what I think the federal government’s role in education is, and that is none. Absolutely none.

[Text Graphic]

Jesse Kelly

Tucson Meet & Greet

8/17/10

[Voice Over]

Wait a second.

After record cuts to our schools, Jesse Kelly would eliminate the Department of Education,

[Text Graphic]

Jesse Kelly

“The entire Dept. of Education can go away”

Kelly, Northwest Republican debate, 2/11/10

[Voice Over]

and cut nearly a billion dollars more from Arizona schools;

[Text Graphic]

Jesse Kelly

Cut $1 billion from Arizona schools

(AZ Dept. of Education 2009 Annual Report)

[Voice Over]

forcing teacher layoffs and overcrowded classrooms;

[Text Graphic]

Jesse Kelly

Teacher Layoffs

Overcrowded Classrooms

(AZ Dept. of Education 2009 Annual Report)

[Voice Over]

eliminating student loans and college scholarships.

[Text Graphic]

Eliminate Student Loans

Jesse Kelly

Dept. of Education, Federal Student Aid

[Jesse Kelly]

None. Absolutely none.

[Text Graphic]

“none… absolutely none.”

[Voice Over]

Jesse Kelly is a risk we just can’t afford.