appropriations « Advance CTE Blog

House Introduces Three Week CR, Perkins Not Targeted

Saturday, March 12th, 2011

On Friday afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee introduced a new continuing resolution (CR) for FY11 that would fund the federal government for an additional three weeks beyond March 18, when the current CR is set to expire. This bill proposes to cut an additional $6 billion in the form of rescissions, reductions, program terminations, and eliminated earmarks.

Perkins Act funding is not one the cuts in the bill. However, the Career Pathways Innovation Fund is slated for elimination with the rationale that both the President and the Senate also targeted the program for cuts, and that the program received $500 million in mandatory funding in last yearâ€™s health care bill.

The House is expected to vote on this bill on Tuesday. It will then go the Senate for their consideration. While Perkins was not in this bill, further cuts will be made before the FY11 bill is complete. Please continue to call both your Representatives and Senators to make the case that Perkins funding should be maintained because of the benefits to students in their districts and states.

By admin in Legislation
Tags: advocacy, appropriations, budget, community colleges, Congress, federal grants, federal legislation, funding, Perkins, president

Duncan Defends FY12 Budget, and Perkins Cuts, Before the House

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testified before the House twice this week concerning the Obama Administrationâ€™s FY12 education budget â€“ on Wednesday before the House Education and the Workforce Committee and Thursday in front of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

During the Education and the Workforce hearing, Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA) asked the Secretary why the Administration was proposing to cut Perkins CTE funding when CTE students outperform their peers in math and science. Thompson also wanted to know how schools could be expected to offer higher quality CTE programs with fewer resources. Duncan responded that results from Perkins-funded programs across the country are mixed â€“ some are great, but some are antiquated, so schools must learn from what is working and replicate.

At todayâ€™s appropriations hearing, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA) also asked the Secretary about the proposed cuts to Perkins, noting that CTE programs lead students to high wage, high skill, high demand careers through career pathways at a time when skilled workers are needed more than ever. Like Thompson, she said that CTE students in her district outperform non-CTE students in math and reading, and graduate high school at a higher rate. Again, Duncan responded that some CTE programs are great, while others are not, and that they made the tough decision to â€œcut where we could, to invest where we must.â€

It is clear from the Secretaryâ€™s answers that more consistent data about outcomes is needed to show the Administration that CTE programs are serving students well and leading to high achievement and high graduation and completion rates. Until we can tell a different story about CTE than the one Duncan is familiar with, cuts to Perkins may become a reality.

By admin in Legislation
Tags: appropriations, budget, Congress, Data, federal legislation, funding, Perkins, Public Policy, Secretary Duncan

FY11 Budget Still Hangs in the Balance

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

On Friday chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Daniel Inouye (HI), released a new seven month continuing resolution (CR) that proposed to cut an additional $6.5 billion from the current CR. This plan did not include cuts to Tech Prep or Perkins.

Today the Senate voted on both this funding bill as well as H.R. 1, the CR passed by the House last month that would cut FY11 spending levels by $61 billion. H.R. 1 failed to pass the Senate by a vote of 44 to 56, while Sen. Inouyeâ€™s bill failed by a vote of 42 to 58. These votes were seen largely as â€œtest votesâ€ to show that in order to pass a funding bill, both chambers must come together to negotiate a compromise that will likely fall somewhere in the middle of these two bills. Congress has until March 18 to pass a funding bill in order to avoid a government shutdown.

â€œOnce it is plain that both parties’ opening bids in this budget debate are non-starters, we can finally get serious about sitting down and narrowing the huge gap that exists between the two sides,â€ said Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY), vice chairman of the Senate Democratic Conference, in a speech at the Center for American Progress today.

This means that every federal program, including Perkins, is still vulnerable to cuts. It is imperative that we continue our advocacy efforts to make sure that both the House and the Senate understand how important CTE is to their district and state.

By admin in Legislation
Tags: advocacy, appropriations, budget, Congress, funding, Perkins

Business and Industry Sign on in Support of Tech Prep

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Yesterday NASDCTEc, along with ACTE, AACC, and the Council of Chief State School Officers, sent a letter to the Senate signed by 168 businesses, employer groups and national organizations that voiced their support for maintaining Tech Prep funding. This tremendous show of support should go a long way in letting the Senate know that Perkins, and Tech Prep in particular, is vital to ensuring that the next generation of skilled workers is trained and ready to fill the jobs offered by these businesses.

If a business or businesses from your state signed on to the letter, please be sure to let them know how much you appreciate their support!

By admin in Legislation
Tags: advocacy, appropriations, budget, business and industry partnerships, Congress, funding, Job training, Perkins, Tech Prep

Senate Passes CR, Tech Prep Safe For Now

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

This morning the Senate passed H.J. Res. 44, a short term continuing resolution that will fund the government until March 18. The House and Senate now have two additional weeks to work out a compromise on a longer term funding bill.

The bill funds most programs at current FY10 levels, but there were $4 billion in cuts. Tech Prep is not one of the programs cut in this bill, but Section 117 of Perkins, Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Vocational Institutions, was cut. This program awards grants to eligible tribally controlled postsecondary CTE institutions to provide basic support for the education and training of Native American students in CTE programs and for institutional support of tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institutions.

While the maintenance of Tech Prep funding in this bill is an achievement, and shows that the advocacy efforts of the CTE community are making a difference, the fight is not over. This bill buys Congress additional time to work out a compromise, but Republicans in the House remained committed to deep cuts, of which Tech Prep could still be one. If we stop the fight now, Congress will not think Tech Prep and Perkins funding are important to their constituents or understand the affect these programs have on their state and district.

Please continue the great advocacy work you have been doing:

Call your Members of Congress to urge them not to cut Perkins Tech Prep funding
Send achievement and placement data, student stories, and best practices to your Members of Congress
Invite your Members of Congress to visit a CTE program in their state or district to see first-hand the impact of CTE and Tech Prep
Contact the media in your city or town to let them know the devastating impact cuts to Perkins will have on students and the local economy

This work could truly make a difference!

By admin in Legislation
Tags: advocacy, appropriations, budget, Congress, Data, funding, Perkins, Tech Prep

House Introduces Short Term CR to Avoid Government Shutdown

Sunday, February 27th, 2011

On Friday the House Appropriations Committee unveiled a short term continuing resolution (CR) that, if passed by the Senate and signed by the President, would fund the government until March 18, allowing time for a compromise to be reached on a longer term funding bill. Passage of this CR will prevent a government shut down that could otherwise occur on March 4. The CR contains funding to allow government agencies and programs to continue operating at current spending levels for the next two weeks, except for several programs that will be terminated or cut.

These cuts and eliminations total $4 billion in spending reductions, however, Tech Prep is not one of the programs targeted for cuts in this bill. While this is significant, and shows that the advocacy efforts of the CTE community are making an impact, the fight is not over. This bill buys Congress additional time to work out a compromise, but Republicans in the House remained committed to deep cuts, of which Tech Prep could still be one.

Please continue to call your Members of Congress to urge them not to cut Perkins Tech Prep funding!

By admin in Legislation
Tags: advocacy, appropriations, budget, Congress, Perkins, president, Public Policy, Tech Prep

House Passes Funding Bill That Would Cut Tech Prep

Saturday, February 19th, 2011

At 4:30 a.m. this morning the House voted 235-189 to pass H.R. 1, the continuing resolution (CR) that would reduce spending on federal programs by $60 billion below current FY10 levels. The bill includes cutting $103 million from Perkins Tech Prep.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA) said of the bill, â€œCongressional Republicans have spent the last six weeks ignoring jobs and refusing to offer a plan to grow our economy. Today, they have made matters worse â€“ passing a spending bill that destroys jobs, weakens the middle class, hurts schools and young adults, eliminates assistance to homeless veterans, and diminishes critical investments in our future.â€

When the Senate returns from recess on February 28, they will take up the bill, but it is unlikely to pass. The Senate has said they will introduce their own short term resolution. Earlier this week, House Speaker John Boehner (OH) said that he would not vote for a CR that does not include cuts, but yesterday he said that a CR that could avoid a government shutdown would be ready â€œsoon enough.â€

Remember to call your Senator TODAY to ask them to restore Tech Prep funding!

By admin in Legislation
Tags: advocacy, appropriations, budget, Congress, federal legislation, funding, Perkins

Legislative Update: Appropriations, ESEA

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Debate on FY11 CR Continues in the House

The House planned to hold votes yesterday on H.R. 1, the continuing resolution (CR) that proposes to cut $100 billion from federal programs, including $103 million from Perkins Tech Prep. However, the vast number of amendments (many of which call for deeper cuts) has kept debate going late into the night this week. The House is now expected to conclude debate and hold a vote tomorrow.

The bill will then move to the Senate the week of February 28, where it is not expected to pass. The Senate has said they will introduce their own short term resolution, but House Speaker John Boehner (OH) has said that he will not vote for a CR that does not include cuts, which could result in a government shutdown.

Remember to call your Member of Congress TODAY to ask them to preserve Tech Prep funding!

President Meets with Congressional Leaders to Discuss ESEA

Yesterday morning President Obama with the â€œBig 8,â€ the education committee chairmen and ranking members, and subcommittee chairmen and ranking members of the committees that oversee K-12 education issues. This group includes Sens. Tom Harkin (IA), Mike Enzi (WY), Jeff Bingaman (NM), and Lamar Alexander (TN); and Reps. John Kline (MN), George Miller (CA), Duncan Hunter (CA), and Dale Kildee (MI).

According to the White House, the group discussed redefining the federal role in education, raising expectations for students and schools, boosting teacher effectiveness, and providing greater flexibility to support innovation and improvements. The timing of the meeting shows that the Obama Administration is committed to reauthorizing ESEA this year.

By admin in Legislation
Tags: advocacy, appropriations, budget, Congress, funding, NCLB/ESEA, Perkins, president, Public Policy

Ask Business and Industry Leaders in Your State to Sign Letter in Support of CTE Funding

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) and American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) strongly urge you to join in the fight to protect career and technical education (CTE) funded by the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.

The legislation proposes to cut the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act by eliminating its Tech Prep program. This elimination results in a significant loss of career and technical education funding to all states and districts and will impact the ability of education institutions to provide students the skills needed in todayâ€™s workplace. You can view a chart with projected state loses on ACTE’s Web site.

We need your help to show Congress the negative impact these cuts will have on businesses and the economy! Please join ACTE, NASDCTEc and AACC in a fight to save Perkins funding by signing your organization or business on to this letter. Contact Nancy Conneely at [email protected] by noon on Friday, February 25.Â We will send the final version to the Senate.

By admin in Legislation
Tags: advocacy, appropriations, budget, business and industry, Congress, federal legislation, funding, Job training, Perkins

ACTION ALERT: House Proposes Cutting Tech Prep!

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

On Friday evening, the House Appropriations Committee released its updated continuing resolution (CR) for Fiscal Year (FY) 11. The bill, H.R. 1, proposes to cut $100 billion from non-security discretionary funding from a variety of federal programs. Department of Education programs would be cut by $4.899 billion compared to FY10. This includes cutting Title II of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act in its entirety, or $103 million in Tech Prep funding for CTE. This affects ALL states, even those that chose to merge Tech Prep because that portion of funding will be taken from their Basic State Grant.

The House is expected to debate and vote on the CR this week, allowing for amendments that could mean deeper cuts than those in the bill. The Senate will take up the House bill when they return from recess on February 28 and try to work out a compromise before the current CR expires on March 4.

While the President released his FY12 budget today that proposes deeper cuts to Perkins, we are focusing our efforts on the FY11 CR because of the very short timeline to affect change. We will take up the fight on FY12 cuts after this is resolved.

CALL YOUR SENATOR

It is crucial that you contact your Member of Congress (especially your Senator) this week to urge them to preserve Tech Prep funding for FY11!

Call the Senate at 202-224-3121and the House at 202-225-3121. Ask to be connected to your Membersâ€™ offices.

Once connected to the Memberâ€™s office, ask to speak to the staffer that works on appropriations or education issues.
Tell them to oppose eliminating Tech Prep funding in H.R. 1

SEND US BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY CONTACTS

NASDCTEc is working with ACTE on a sign-on letter to send to business and industry that will show Congress the number and variety of businesses that support Perkins funding and how many of them will be impacted. If you have any contacts in your state, please send them to us, so that we can ask them to sign on to the letter.

RESOURCES

Talking points

Congressâ€™ rationale for eliminating Tech Prep is that it is duplicative of how funding in the Basic State Grant can be used. You can counter this by saying:

Any cut to Perkins funding will hurt CTE students in every state. Insert concrete examples and data from your state about how students and programs will be impacted by losing this money. Make the case, where appropriate, that cutting Tech Prep will hurt the stateâ€™s economy.
Some states have chosen not merge Tech Prep with the Basic State Grant so that they can ensure that the full amount of funding is used for these activities. Losing this money will eliminate these programs, as their Basic State Grant funding is being used for other things.
In the states that have merged, the funding may be used for other programs and activities, thus eliminating Tech Prep funding will actually impact non-Tech Prep activities.

Also use the talking points on ACTE’s Web site.

State funding chart

ACTE has put together this chart that shows the impact of Tech Prep cuts on each state. Use these numbers to make the case to your Senator that these cuts will hurt his or her state.

Key Members to contact are those on the:

If you have any questions or to update NASDCTEc on your contact with Congress, please call Nancy Conneely, Public Policy Manager at 301-588-9630 or email her at [email protected]

By admin in Legislation
Tags: advocacy, appropriations, budget, business and industry, Congress, funding, Perkins

Posts Tagged ‘appropriations’