The Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in California, Carly Fiorina, opposes emergency federal legislation designed to provide aid to states across the nation, including California. The emergency state aid bill would save the jobs of approximately 13,700-16,500 teachers in California who face layoffs. The federal legislation would also fund Medicaid programs serving approximately 7 million Californians.

The proposed federal legislation would prevent the layoffs of California workers, including teachers, police, and firefighters. In addition, the legislation would prevent the layoffs of approximately 138,000-140,000 teachers nationwide.  

Furthermore, the proposed legislation would extend funding for Medicaid programs across the nation to provide medical care for the poor and disabled. 

The proposed federal legislation is a $26.1 billion measure. Of that amount, $16.1 billion would be used toward Medicaid, and $10 to prevent school layoffs.

According to the independent, nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the proposed $26.1 billion measure would actually reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion over 10 years. Democrats in the Senate agreed to pay for the bill by cutting their own programs, including food stamps for the poor.

The proposed legislation passed the Senate on August 5, 2010, and is scheduled for a vote in the House of Representatives early this week.

According to Carly Fiorina, who has the backing of the Tea Party movement leader Sarah Palin, the proposed legislation will delay payments to teachers until 2012 and will continue the government's deficit spending.

Carly Fiorina's opponent, the incumbent U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, strongly supports the proposed legislation because it will put teachers back to work and provide essential Medicaid funding.

Furthermore, the proposed legislation would require U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to make grants to states within 45 days of the bill's enactment. This would provide money to local school districts this year.

The Los Angeles Times reports that California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, urged passage of the bill to prevent deeper pain and job losses. Currently, the unemployment rate in California is at 12.3%.

To read a profile of the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, Carly Fiorina, click here.

To read a profile of the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, incumbent Barbara Boxer, click here.

For more information about the November 2, 2010 midterm elections, including all of the races that impact voters across the state and locally in Los Angeles County, click here.