U.S. House and U.S. Senate Appropriations Mark-Ups to Begin!

6/17/08:  The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education is expected to begin work on its Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 appropriations bill on Thursday, June 19. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to follow on Tuesday, June 24. During these “mark-ups,” the Subcommittees will be making crucial decisions about the amount of funding Perkins and other education and workforce development programs will be receiving in FY 2009. 

A few weeks ago, Congress completed the FY 2009 Budget Resolution which provides the framework for the appropriations committees to begin allocating funding to individual programs. The budget resolution provides $84.337 billion for education and training, which is $8.4 billion over the President’s request. Now the process moves to the appropriations subcommittees for individual programs to be funded. This is the time to rally for an increase in Perkins funds!

Throughout the year, ACTE has been partnering with other national organizations to request an increase in Perkins funding to $1.7 billion dollars. It is imperative that ACTE members contact their Members of Congress to encourage that Perkins be funded at $1.7 billion dollars in the FY 2009 Appropriations bills!

TAKE ACTION!

• If your Representative or one of your Senators is on the Appropriations Committee, ask him or her to fund the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act at no less than $1.7 billion dollars.
• If your Representative or Senators are not on the Appropriations Committee, ask him or her to contact the Appropriations Committee and encourage committee members to fund the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act at no less than $1.7 billion dollars.

• Whether or not they are on the Appropriations Committee, let your Members of Congress know that stagnant funding to Perkins would force already cash-strapped schools, training programs, and community colleges to reduce or eliminate programs.

• Let your Members of Congress know that the career and technical education programs funded by Perkins provide effective and proven links to skills-building opportunities and improved employment outcomes; that employers in your community continue to need well-trained workers with good skills; and that career and technical education serves many in your community [be specific].

• Rally your community by taking advantage of ACTE’s media advocacy guide. Write an opinion editorial (op-ed) or a letter to your editor to engage your community by publicly asking your Members of Congress to support an increase in the Perkins program.

• Thank your Members of Congress for supporting the Perkins program in the past.

• Follow up with TIVA with any feedback or any questions you receive.