Simply put, the Department of Education cannot be eliminated. It plays a vital role in ensuring equitable access to education. The 23rd District includes many rural areas; Phelan, Yucca Valley, Lake Los Angeles, Searles Valley, and Newberry Springs, among others. The Department of Education supports rural schools through programs like the Rural and Low Income School Program (RLIS) and the Small, Rural School Achievement Program (SRSA). Without the Department of Education, the 23rd would face significant funding cuts, putting many of our schools at risk of closure.