to the state or local level, and provide incentives for states and localities to establish merit pay and testing programs for teachers. [Vote 102, 4/23/98] XXXX Voted Against a Measure Providing Bonus Awards to Schools Which Show Standards of Excellence. In 1998, XXXX voted against an amendment to the Parent and Student Savings PLUS Act by Sen. Landrieu that would have struck the bill provisions on education savings accounts and would instead authorize a new program under which the Secretary of Education could pick up to 250 schools per year to give $100,000 because in his opinion they had "established standards of excellence and demonstrated a high level of quality." [Vote 97, 4/23/98] XXXX Supported a Measure Banning Federally Sponsored Student Tests That Were Not Enacted by Congress, Taking Away State and Local Flexibility. In 1998, XXXX voted in favor of an amendment to the Parent and Student Savings PLUS Act by Sen. Ashcroft that would have enacted a ban on the Federal Government developing, planning, implementing, or administering any federally sponsored national test in reading, mathematics, or any other subject that was not specifically and explicitly provided for in authorizing legislation enacted into law. The amendment also reinserted Education Savings Accounts into the bill and struck a provision providing tax breaks to teachers who go back to school for technology training. [Vote 94, 4/22/98] XXXX Voted to Kill a Measure Providing $1.5 Billion Over 5 Years for Grant Program to School Districts Reforming Their Educational Package. In 1998, XXXX voted to table an amendment to the Concurrent Budget Resolution for FY’s 1999-2003 by Sen. Kennedy that would have adjusted the functional totals with the intention of providing $1.5 billion over 5 years for a new educational grant program that would give money to school districts that were "showing a special kind of designation in reforming and rehabilitating their total educational package." The cost would be offset by making an across-the-board cut in non-defense discretionary spending. [Vote 78, 4/2/98] CHILD CARE XXXX Voted Against $6 Billion in Child Care Funding. In 2004, XXXX voted against an amendment that increased mandatory child care funding by $6 billion over the next five years. The $6 billion was offset by extending expiring Customs Service user fees. [Vote 64, 3/30/04] XXXX Voted Against Increasing Child Care Spending By $9.1 Billion Over 10 Years. In 2003, XXXX voted against an amendment that would have increased child care spending by reducing Bush tax cuts. The vote was on an amendment that would have increased mandatory child care spending by $4.6 billion over five years and $9.1 billion over 10 years. [Vote 90, 3/25/03] XXXX Voted Against Giving States $9 Billion in Funds and Grants for Child Care and Social Service Programs. In 2002, XXXX voted against an amendment to “give states $6 billion in additional federal matching funds and $3 billion in grants to help them pay for child care and other social service programs.” XXXX was one of only 24 Senators to oppose this legislation. [S 812, Vote 190, 7/25/02] XXXX Voted Against Child Care Funding. In 1998, XXXX voted against a motion to waive the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to permit consideration of the Dodd amendment to S.Con.Res.86, which was an amendment to establish a reserve fund to provide funding for child-care. [Vote 52, 3/31/98] XXXX Voted To Expand Businesses With Quality Child Care. In 1997, XXXX voted for a motion to waive the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to permit consideration of the Jeffords amendment to S.949, which was an amendment to expand tax credits for businesses with quality child-care and mandate that home child-care providers meet added requirements. Many Republicans opposed this amendment because of the added requirements home child-care providers would be required to meet to receive tax credits. [Vote 153, 6/27/97] XXXX Voted to Provide Tax Credits to Employers to Offset Cost of Child Care. In 1997, XXXX was one of 72 senators who voted for a motion to waive the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to permit consideration of the Kohl amendment to S.949, which was an amendment to provide tax credits to employers to offset half of the cost of 80