House and Senate Approve FY2009 Budget Resolution

3/17/08:  Late last week the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate passed their respective versions of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 budget resolution. The budget resolution sets funding caps for broad funding areas and sets the stage for appropriations work later in the year. Both the House and Senate budget resolutions increase the overall funding cap for education and training programs. ACTE and TIVA are encouraging Congress to approve a budget resolution level that will provide adequate resources to restore Perkins and workforce program cuts from last year’s final allocations.

The House budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 312) passed on a 212-207 party line vote. It provides $7.1 billion above the President’s request for education and training programs. The Senate version of the budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 70) provides $8.8 billion above the President’s request for education and training programs. The Senate budget resolution passed 51-44 on a party line vote.

Senator Collins (ME) initiated a letter with ACTE’s feedback requesting that the Senate Budget Committee include a restoration of funds for the Perkins program when reviewing their budget assumptions for FY 2009.

Although the budget resolution will only provide the spending caps that the appropriations committees will use to fund individual programs, the budget committee can recommend allocations for specific programs. Therefore, earlier in the budget process,

education organizations to advocate for the Senate’s higher number for the final reconciled budget resolution. If Congress decides to table all appropriations work until a new Administration is in the White House, than this budget resolution could serve as a guide for the new President.

ACTE is working with other

CTE Caucus Initiates Funding Letter and Recruits New Members

Last week Congressmen Baird (WA) and English (PA), co-chairs of the CTE Caucus began circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter requesting that other Members of Congress sign the letter to support an increase in Perkins funds, and to join the Congressional CTE Caucus. To date, 61 Representatives have supported an increase in Perkins funds, and 50 Represenatatives have joined the CTE Caucus.

 

The funding portion of this letter will be closed Tuesday, March 18^th, morning. There is no deadline to join the CTE Caucus.

If your Representative has not signed onto the funding portion of the letter, or has not joined the caucus it is important that you contact his/her office and ask for support.

Currently there are House and Senate “Dear Colleague” letters circulating through Congress. ACTE alerted advocates last week about the deadline for signature on the House letter. Later this week ACTE will send out an alert with information and tips to encourage your Senator to sign onto the Senate letter.

Congress Heads Home for Spring Recess

Congress has adjourned for a two-week spring recess and is scheduled to return on Monday, March 31. Members of Congress are often home in their respective districts or states during recess, so it is a good time to reach out to them locally and schedule meetings, attend town hall meetings or other public forums, and invite them to visit your school. 

Visit the Advocacy Toolkit on ACTE’s Web site for more information on conducting these activities.