Advocacy

President Promotes College Affordability Proposal

January 30, 2012 - In conjunction with President Obama's State of the Union Address, the White House has produced a blueprint plan detailing the President's proposals and priorities.  On Friday, the President spoke in Ann Arbor, Michigan to promote and provide further detail on plans to address college affordability.

Follow this link to view details and excerpts of the President's proposal:  http://www.acct.org/fact%20sheet%20Community%20Colleges%20and%20the%20State%20of%20the%20Union.pdf

A key portion of the President's higher-education plan includes funding devoted to community colleges to forge business partnership to train and place two million skilled workers. It is anticipated that the President will provide further details and promote the community college proposal in the weeks to come.

Most of these proposals will require Congressional action, but they will also be reflected in the President's FY 2013 budget plan expected to be released February 13th.


SOTU Focuses on Community Colleges, Education, and Training

January 25, 2012 - Last night, President Obama delivered his State of the Union (SOTU) address to Congress and the nation.  The speech laid out his vision for economic growth with a focus on job creation and taxes.  Part of his plan includes significant investment in community colleges.  The President proposed a new initiative to train and place two million Americans in good jobs through partnerships between businesses and community colleges that give workers the skills employers explicitly need. Sitting in the First Lady's box was Jackie Bray, a graduate of Central Piedmont Community College in North Carolina.  Currently a Process Operator at Siemens, Jackie obtained her education and employment based on a partnership between Siemens and Central Piedmont Community College.   The President's plan involves an expansion of this type of training partnership, where programs are tailored to industry needs.

The President also called for a permanent extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit and called on Congress to prevent interest rates on Stafford loans from increasing on July 1st.  He also proposed doubling the number of work-study jobs over the next five years.  The President expressed that passing the DREAM Act is a priority.

The President also addressed workforce training programs for unemployed and displaced workers.  The President indicated that the current system needs to be streamlined to be more effective.  While the President did not explicitly address the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in his speech or blueprint, the statement indicates that the White House would be open to some level of WIA consolidation.

New ideas that were mentioned included calling upon states to address drop-out prevention by requiring high school students to stay in school until they turn 18.  Additionally, he addressed high tuition costs by proposing to shift Title IV funding away from institutions that do not keep tuition costs down.

A transcript of the President's speech and his "Blueprint for an America Built to Last" can be viewed here:

http://www.acct.org/SOTU-2012.pdf

http://www.acct.org/Blueprint%2BFor%2BAn%2BAmerica%2BBuilt%2Bto%2BLast.pdf
 

House Begins Second Session of the 112th Congress

January 18, 2012 - Yesterday, the House of Representatives convened for first time in 2012, marking the beginning of the Second Session of the 112th Congress, and the Senate is set to convene next week.  Today, the House will vote on whether to prevent the President from once again raising the debt ceiling.  The vote is seen as largely symbolic, as the resolution will not pass in the Senate.

The House will soon begin work where it left off - negotiating a year-long extension to the payroll tax break, unemployment benefits, and Medicare doctor reimbursements.  The current two month extension expires on February 29th.  Given the contentious negotiations, coming to agreement on an extension package will likely remain Congress's main focus for several weeks. 

In other items of note, the President is set to give his State of the Union speech on January 24th.  The speech is expected to focus on the economy and the middle class.  The President will also be releasing his fiscal year 2013 budget proposal in early February.  This budget will reflect new spending caps set by the Budget Control Act, which will result in some suggested spending cuts.

Additionally, the Department of Education has posted its draft strategic plan for fiscal years 2011 through 2014 on its website for public comment.  The draft plan can be found here: www.ed.gov/about/reports/strat/index.html


Congress Passes Omnibus with No Additional Offsets

December 21, 2011 - Despite numerous roadblocks, the House and Senate have agreed to pass a $915 billion omnibus appropriations package containing nine annual spending bills.  Passed by the Senate on Saturday, the bill is in the process of being enrolled and will soon be sent to the President for his signature.  Earlier last week, it appeared that broken-down negotiations over the pay-roll tax extension would delay passage of the omnibus.  The House moved to put forth a bill that largely mirrored the omnibus conference report but then withdrew it from the calendar when the Senate formally filed the omnibus ending the stalemate.

Even though the House version of the omnibus and the conference report were largely similar, there are notable differences.  The House had passed an additional 1.83% across-the-board cut for education and labor programs (including Pell) to pay for disaster aid funding.  The Senate did not pass this additional cut, and the final bill includes a smaller 0.189% across-the-board cut for education and labor programs.  Updated appropriations program numbers can be viewed here: http://www.acct.org/FY%202012%20OMNIBUS%20FUNDING%20CHART.pdf

Additionally, the conference report made a fourth change in Pell Grant eligibility by removing students who receive 10% of the maximum award.  Other changes include:  elimination of ability-to-benefit students; changes in income to qualify for zero expected family contribution; and reduction in the maximum number of full-time semesters from 18 down to 12.  ACCT has prepared a summary of the eligibility changes, which can be viewed here:  http://www.acct.org/pell%20eligibility%20changes%20in%20omnibus.pdf


Omnibus Package Unveiled

December 15, 2011 - Overnight, the House released an FY 2012 omnibus spending package mimicking the yet-to-be released bipartisan omnibus conference report.  This was done to prevent the Senate from holding the report back as a negotiating chip over payroll tax and unemployment insurance extensions.  An additional sticking point is language the House wishes to include regarding a reinstatement of the Cuban travel ban.  However, late today it appeared the House was willing to remove the Cuba language in order to have the Senate proceed with the omnibus.

As previously speculated, Pell Grants are maintained at the $5,550 max, but changes have been made to eligibility in order to generated $11 billion in savings for the program over the coming years.  Eligibility changes include the following: the elimination of Ability-to-Benefits students; a reduction in the maximum semesters awarded from 18 full-time down to 12; and income reduction for students qualifying for zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  It was previously reported that this change in eligibility for zero-EFC would reduce income allowance from $30,000 to $20,000, but the omnibus places the number at $23,000.

The House bill includes a 1.89% across-the-board reduction in funding levels to education and labor programs from what is stated in the bill (Pell is exempt from this cut).  Additionally, the House plans to consider a second bill in tandem with the omnibus, which would provide disaster funding.  The disaster funding bill would be paid for with an additional 1.83% across-the-board cut to most programs in the omnibus.  Defense, Military Construction - VA, and Pell would be exempt from the second 1.83% cut.

Follow this link to view a chart of programmatic cuts under the omnibus: http://www.acct.org/FY%202012%20OMNIBUS%20FUNDING%20CHART.pdf

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Federal Work Study, Career Technical and Adult Education, and GEAR UP were all level funded prior to the 1.89% across-the-board cut.  TRIO, while receiving an additional $15 million in funding allocation before the across-the-board cuts, also saw a loss of $57 million in mandatory funds that expired this year.  WIA State Grants saw a $182 million reduction in the base bill, and will be subject to the 1.89% cut on top of that.  We are still awaiting the Manager's Statement to view additional numbers for programs such as Hispanic Serving Institutions and other Minority Serving Institutions.  All indications are that there are no large-scale cuts in addition to the across-the-board cuts to those programs.  One other funding item of note is a $75 million reduction in the Workforce Innovation Fund.

Appropriators also issued additional cuts to 2012 advanced funding that was appropriated in FY 2011.  CTE, IDEA and Title I all operated on an advanced funding schedule, since they operate on a school year schedule.  This bill would rescind the 1.5% advanced funding cut that was issued in the previous three continuing resolutions and instead issue a larger 1.89% cut.  This means that for this current school year, IDEA would see an additional cut of $162 million; Title I would see an additional cut of $204 million; and CTE would see an additional cut of $15 million. 

The House plans to consider this package on Friday.  It remains unknown if the Senate will also move to take up the package as current fiscal year funding expires at midnight tomorrow.  The White House is pressing for another short-term continuing resolution to give both bodies time to consider the bill without facing government shutdown.


Appropriations Agreement Tentatively Reached

December 12, 2011 - Over the weekend Democratic and Republican Appropriators came to an agreement on the remaining nine spending bills, including the contentious Labor-HHS appropriation. Details are forthcoming, but it is clear that  significant cuts have been made in order to reach the spending cap of $1.043 trillion for discretionary spending that was set in August. Included in these cuts will most likely be eligibility changes to the Pell Grant Program which will amount to at least $1.3 billion to make up for the shortfall. Details on what changes have been made are not yet available. But likely changes to Pell include semester limitations to 12 full time semesters and restricting access to Pell for students who fall under Ability to Benefit. 

In addition to cuts, many policy "riders" have apparently been attached in order to garner support from members of the House.  While these are not all known at this time, the bill will contain legislative directives for multiple government functions. The bill has yet to be made public and will go to the Congressional Budget Office this evening for scoring. Action must be taken soon as current government funding ends on this Friday, December 16th. Due to the many moving parts of the agreement and length of the proposal, it is possible that a few day short term CR to fund the government over the weekend may be taken up by Congress before Friday.

In other news, the Aspen Institute announced that Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida won the first Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The purpose of the prize is to recognize community colleges with outstanding academic and workforce outcomes in both absolute performance and improvements over time. Congratulations to Valencia (http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/aspen-prize/valenciacollege), and all of the finalists (http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/aspen-prize/finalists) for their perseverance and innovation!


House Republicans Introduce Workforce Training Overhaul

December 8, 2011 - Today, the Republicans on the House Education and Workforce Committee introduced two workforce training reform bills.  Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced the first bill, H.R. 3610, the Streamlining Workforce Development Programs Act, which consolidates 33 workforce training programs into 4 funding streams.  The second bill, H.R. 3611, the Local Job Opportunities and Business Success (JOBS) Act, introduced by Congressman Joe Heck (R-NV), addresses workforce investment boards.  The bill removes many federal directives regarding board makeup and requires that at least two-thirds of each board is comprised of business representatives.  It also strikes provisions that require board representation from community colleges and other educational entities.

The House and Senate are currently conferencing the nine remaining FY 2012 appropriations bills into a larger omnibus.  With many hurdles facing remaining for the Labor-HHS-Education bill, a year-long continuing resolution for that bill remains probable.  With a $1.3 billion shortfall in the Pell Grant program, indications are that negotiators will seek to make Pell eligibility changes within a continuing resolution to address the shortfall.  Thus far, FY 2012 continuing resolutions have addressed the shortfall through an across-the-board cut of all Labor-HHS-Education programs.  Negotiators appear less likely to accept an across-the-board-cut scenario to protect Pell in a year-long continuing resolution.

Today, the White House hosted the first board meeting of the Startup America Partnership, where board members announced $1 billion in private sector investment to assist startups over the next three years.  This meeting came as part of a larger announcement focused on job creation and entrepreneurship. The White House announced its continued commitment to entrepreneurial education and transformation through the new National Education Startup Challenge and the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum.  The National Education Startup Challenge, invites middle school, high school, and college students to develop an innovative solution to an education problem and prepare a business plan for a new company or non-profit organization to deliver that solution.  The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) is launching the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum, through which community college presidents make specific commitments to advance entrepreneurship and the impact these colleges have on the economic well-being of their communities. Over 100 community college presidents have signed on at launch.


Congress Prepares for Endgame on Appropriations and Expiring Programs

December 7, 2011 - With the end of the first session of the 112th Congress fast approaching, the House and Senate have a significant number of legislative items to consider before the end of the year, the highest priority of which include the nine remaining FY 2012 appropriations bills, the unemployment insurance extension, the payroll-tax cut extension, and the Medicare "doc fix."  Multiple plans are being proposed on both sides of the aisle, with negotiations continuing in hopes of reaching bipartisan agreements.

Of continued concern in the higher education community remains how Congress will address the $1.3 billion Pell Grant shortfall in the FY 2012 appropriations process.  The House has proposed significant eligibility changes to the program, which would result in cutting $4 billion in FY 2012 despite only needing $1.3 billion to cover the shortfall.  While negotiations continue on this and several other contentious health and workforce issues, it appears less and less likely that there will be a bipartisan agreement on the perennially challenging Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill.  With Congress reportedly near agreement on the other eight remaining appropriations bills, it is probable that the FY 2012 omnibus will include these eight bills plus a year-long continuing resolution for Labor-HHS-Education.  This would likely result in an across-the-board cut for multiple Labor-HHS-Education programs, but it could involve other funding scenarios. 

Yesterday, Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a bipartisan jobs plan.  Of note to community colleges, the bill would require the Office of Management and Budget to study the effectiveness and consolidation of duplicative job training programs and make legislative recommendations to Congress on consolidating job training programs. It would also include $350 million annually in competitive grants for cluster development.  This would involve public-private efforts at the state and local level to identify and develop the natural competitive advantage in a region and to train the skilled workers needed to build on those competitive advantages. 


House Committee Examines Tuition Costs

November 30, 2011 - Today, the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training held a hearing entitled "Keeping College within Reach: Discussing Ways Institutions Can Streamline Costs and Reduce Tuition." Experts and Members of Congress discussed the reasons why college costs have been increasing, and offered ideas on what could be done to help curb the rising cost of tuition while effectively delivering a quality education. Included in the discussion was the importance of cost effective remediation for students, and ensuring course equivalency among community colleges and four-year institutions. To read witness testimony, please follow this link: http://edworkforce.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=270118

On November 21st, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act was signed into law, expanding Montgomery GI benefits to veterans of past eras. The legislation was passed to assist those who have served our country in the armed forces to obtain the assistance and training to help them pursue employment. ACCT has prepared a fact-sheet on this bill:  http://www.acct.org/VOW%20Act%20Summary.pdf

The federal government is currently operating under a short-term continuing resolution (CR), which funds the government till December 16th.  The House and Senate have begun negotiations on an omnibus package of the 9 remaining appropriations bills it must consider for fiscal year 2012.  While negotiations have started it is unlikely that both bodies will be able to resolve numerous contentious issues by December 16th.  It is widely expected that in December there will be another short-term CR before a larger omnibus bill is considered, or Congress may opt to pass another year-long CR.


Congress Averts Shutdown, Super Committee Failure Appears Imminent

November 18, 2011 - Last night the House passed a funding package to keep the government running until December 16th.  This package included full-year funding for fiscal year 2012 programs under Agriculture, Commerce-Science-Justice, and Transportation-HUD, as well as stop-gap funding for the other nine remaining appropriations bills.  It is likely that the House and Senate will attempt to pass full-year funding for the other nine bills as part of a large omnibus package.  This package would include the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education bill, and is currently being negotiated with the goal to consider the omnibus prior to December 16th.  However, the House and Senate will have to overcome multiple differences between the two bills, including a proposal to change eligibility for the Pell Grant program.

The remaining optimism regarding a Super Committee agreement has begun to wane, with all parties stating it is very unlikely that a deal will be struck.  Following the midnight deadline on November 23rd, the Super Committee will dissolve and sequestration will be invoked with across the board cuts beginning January 2013.  The year-long gap before sequestration will allow for further negotiations and legislative maneuvering to find potential deficit reduction alternatives to the across the board cuts.


Close Vote Expected in House to Avert Government Shutdown

November, 17, 2011 - Today, the House is expected to vote on a package of federal funding bills that will include stop-gap funding that will keep the government operational till December 16th.  The current stop-gap continuing resolution expires this Friday.  The package includes a minibus package of three appropriations bills - Agriculture, Transportation - HUD, and Commerce-Science-Justice - as well as short-term continued funding for the remaining nine appropriations bills yet to be passed into law.  Numerous Republican Members object to the minibus bill over a provision that would allow the Federal Housing Administration to back larger mortgages at a time when the agency may require additional federal funds to maintain current operations.  If Congressional Leadership is able to garner enough bipartisan votes, the measure will pass and move onto the Senate before Friday's deadline.

In order to pass the appropriations bills, the Senate leadership attempted to move the bills in small packages.  Although, the Senate was able to move the first minibus, it was unable to move a subsequent one as negotiations appear to have broken down.  Consideration of the second minibus - including Energy and Water, Financial Services, and State-Foreign Operations - has indefinitely ceased in the Senate due to a number of unresolved issues with the bill and amendments.  House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) has stated his intent to package the remain nine appropriations bills into a single omnibus package.  This package would also include the Labor-HHS-Education bill.

With the Super Committee deadline of November 23rd fast approaching, signs of compromise are fleeting.  The main sticking point continues the size of potential changes to the tax code in order to generate revenue.  As negotiations break down both sides have begun to politically posture to avoid being pinned with the Committee's failure.  This may culminate next week in a vote on the separate Democratic and Republican plans within the Super Committee - both plans would face almost certain failure with party-line votes. There is also potential that both sides could come together to vote on a package that would be less than the required $1.2 trillion.  If this were to happen, automatic cuts mandated under the Budget Control Act would be reduced proportionally based on the size of saving produced by the Super Committee.  


Congress to Consider Stop-Gap Funding this Week

November 14, 2011 -  This Friday, the current stop-gap funding measure that keeps the government running is set to expire.  In order to keep the government funded beyond November 18th, the House and Senate plan to take up another short-term funding continuing resolution that will run through mid-December.  This continuing resolution is expected to be part of a package that includes the conference agreement from the FY 2012 Agriculture, Transportation-HUD, Commerce-Science-Justice minibus bill.  Passage of this package will finish work on the Agriculture, Transportation-HUD, Commerce-Science-Justice appropriations bills for the remainder of FY 2012, and continue funding for the other 9 unfinished bills at similar levels to FY 2011. 

The Senate is expected to work this week on a second minibus that would fund State-Foreign Operations, Financial Services and Energy and Water for the remainder of FY 2012.   It is still unknown when the House or Senate will take up the FY 2012 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill.  It is anticipated that it will either be: paired with Defense appropriations; attached in conference to the second minibus; or passed as a year-long continuing resolution in funding. 

The House is expected to consider a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution this week.  It is expected that this amendment will not pass into law since it requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, as well as ratification in 38 states.

ACTION ALERT - Please do not forget to email your elected representative opposing eligibility changes to the Pell Grant program.  These changes would eliminate grants for over 500-thousand students and reduce awards by an average of $240.  For more information, or to write your representative, visit:  http://www.congressweb.com/cweb2/index.cfm/siteid/acct and http://www.acct.org/advocacy/pell/


ACTION NEEDED - Congress Considers Pell Eligibility Changes

November 8, 2011 -  The House FY 2012 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations draft bill contains significant eligibility changes to the Pell Grant program.  These changes will eliminate over 500,000 students from the Pell Grant program and reduce the average award by $240.  Due to the nature of the changes, the impact would be felt greatest amongst working and non-traditional students.

Who Will be Impacted:

Working students whose income will exceed the -  Award Eliminated or Reduced
new maximum Income Protection Allowance (IPA)                

Less than half-time students -  Eliminated

Students who have an expected family contribution -  Award Eliminated or Reduced
between $15,000 and $30,000                                                             

Students receiving Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), -  Award Eliminated or Reduced
child tax credit, or untaxed social security benefits                       

Ability to benefit students -  Eliminated
(students without a high school diploma)

Students receiving awards that are $555 or less -  Eliminated

Students who have already received -  Eliminated
12 full-time semesters of Pell

Pell is currently facing a $1.3 billion shortfall in FY 2012.  The Senate had initially proposed eliminating a student loan interest subsidy to cover the shortfall, however that option will now only yield $400 million for FY 2012.  With $900 million still needed to eliminate the shortfall, eligibility changes to Pell are currently being debated.

Please write your Elected Representatives telling them to Protect Working Students by going here: http://www.congressweb.com/cweb2/index.cfm/siteid/acct

Visit the ACCT website for additional information on the impact of Pell eligibility changes:  http://www.acct.org/advocacy/pell/


Senate Passes the First of FY 2012 Appropriations Bills

November 3, 2011 - This week the Senate passed a package of fiscal year 2012 appropriations bills for Agriculture,  Commerce-Justice-Science and Transportation-HUD. Known as a "minibus", passage of these bills enables the House  and Senate to begin conferencing these measures to work on a  final agreement for funding. This agreement is expected to also include a continuing resolution funding the remainder of the  unpassed appropriations bills, keeping those agencies running through mid-December.  The Senate will take up another minibus in  the next week or so, which may include funding for Energy and  Water, Financial Services, and State-Foreign Operations. It is anticipated that the Labor-HHS-Education bill will be taken up last, possibly as part of a minibus with Defense appropriations.

With the Super Committee's November 23rd deadline fast approaching, speculation has begun on what will happen if a $1.5 trillion deficit reduction plan is not produced.  As of right now there is no imminent deal in place, and the  Congressional Budget Office would need adequate time to score  any proposal.  There is a possibility that the Super Committee could vote to reconvene the Committee for additional weeks to further work on finding budgetary savings.  Since automatic cuts under sequestration would not occur till January of 2013, there is time to continue to work on deficit reduction.  However, there  is ongoing concern regarding how financial markets may view a  missed deadline.


White House Announces Changes to Student Loans

October 26, 2011 - Today, the President announced two changes to the student loan system to ease current burdens related to loan debt and repayment.  First, borrowers will be allowed to cap their student loan payments at 10% of discretionary income.  This is a 5% reduction from current levels that were passed in 2010.  This change will begin in 2012, and is estimated to reduce monthly payments for more than 1.6 million student borrowers.

Additionally, students who have both Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) loans will be able to consolidate the loans.  It is estimated that 6 million borrowers have at least one Direct Loan and at least one FFEL loan, which requires them to submit two separate monthly payments, a complexity that puts them at greater risk of default. Consolidating the loans will allow for one monthly payment and for a limited time borrowers will receive up to a 0.5 percent reduction to their interest rate for consolidating their Direct Loans and FFEL loans.  Beginning in January 2012, the Department of Education will reach out to qualified borrowers early next year to alert them of the opportunity.  Both the loan consolidation and the lower income based repayment proposals will be subject to the regulatory process, and could potentially face hurdles prior to implementation.

As a part of ACCT’s commitment to federal student aid, we have joined with the Student Aid Alliance to support a campaign to preserve resources for essential student aid programs.  With the Congressional “Super Committee” examining significant cuts to the federal budget, it is important that we show strong support for these programs.  By going to the link below, you may sign our statement of support, expressing the opinion that student aid funding must be preserved. If you’re interested in getting more involved, after you’ve signed on, you’ll see other options for additional actions you can take. 

http://action.studentaidalliance.org/5371/save-student-aid-statement-support/?src=trustee


TAA Signed into Law; First Installment of Jobs Act Fails in Senate

October 21, 2011 - Today President Obama signed into law the extension to the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program alongside three trade bills with South Korea, Panama and Columbia.  The extension of TAA will enable American workers displaced by free trade agreements the opportunity to retrain while receiving lower health insurance premiums and other assistance.

Last week the Senate failed to achieve cloture to proceed with debate on the entire American Jobs Act package.  As an alternative strategy, Senate leadership sought to move the package in smaller pieces, considering the first one this week.   Late last evening, the Senate voted on a motion to proceed with S. 1723, the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act.  Needing 60 votes to proceed the Senate fell 10 short and was unable to proceed with debate or a vote on the bill.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has stated his intent to continue to bring forth smaller pieces of the American Jobs Act on a weekly basis.

Last evening, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved a bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act by a vote of 15-7.  The bill has not yet been scheduled for debate on the Senate floor, however the Senate Majority Leader has committed to putting it on the schedule in the coming months - possibly before the end of the year.


President Expected to Sign TAA Renewal Tomorrow

October 20, 2011 - Tomorrow, President Obama is expected to sign into law the reauthorization of expired provisions from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program along with three free trade bills with South Korea, Panama and Columbia. The passage into law represents a negotiated deal whereby the free trade bills were considered in tandem with TAA.

The TAA extension is a compromise brokered by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Representative Dave Camp (R-MI) that would renew TAA but scale back the previous 2009 expansion.   The TAA Community College and Career Training Program is maintained at current levels. Income support was reduced from 156 weeks to a maximum of 130 weeks, the same as when the program was reorganized in 2002. The health coverage tax credit was cut from 80 percent to 72.5 percent. Additionally, the bill maintained the 2009 additions that expanded eligibility to service workers, and it expanded benefits to cover trade with all countries.

The Senate is marking up the long awaited draft of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also known as No Child Left Behind).  The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee began marking up the bill yesterday, but faced a parliamentary delay.  The committee reconvened today, and will likely continue marking up the bill tomorrow and possibly into next week.  The bill is a bipartisan proposal put forth by Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Member Mike Enzi (R-WY) that would update the current law passed in 2002. 

The Senate is set to consider a portion of the President’s American Jobs Act that would provide funding to rehire and preserve first responder and teacher jobs.  It is expected that on Friday the Senate will vote on a motion to proceed with consideration of S. 1723, the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act.


Senate Fails to Muster Enough Votes to Consider President's Jobs Package

October 12, 2011 - Yesterday the Senate failed to attain the 60 votes necessary to break cloture and formally consider the President’s American Jobs Act.  The bill fell far short by a vote of 50 - 49.  Included in the $447 bill package is the $5 billion community college modernization fund.  Both the President and the Senate indicated they planned to move forward with the proposal considering it in pieces.  Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) have each introduced bills which encompass solely the community college modernization funding along with K-12 construction funds.  ACCT has endorsed this legislation, as well as sent a joint letter to Congressional leadership supporting the community college modernization funds.  The Senate will likely consider the separate bills in the coming weeks, but the House is less committed to moving forward with even parts of the package.

Today the House also considered and passed the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) extension in tandem with three pending free trade bills with Columbia, Panama and South Korea.  The extension passed without amendment by a vote of 307 - 122, and maintains the TAA Community College and Career Training Grant program. The TAA extension represents a compromise agreement brokered by Congressman Camp (R-MI) and Senator Baucus (D-MT) which rolls back some of the TAA program extensions that were passed in 2009.  The bill would extend the TAA program - which is set to expire in February - through December 2013.  The Senate has already passed the TAA extension, and it is anticipated the President will sign it into law.


TAA Set for Consideration in the House

October 4, 2011 - Congress and the White House have struck a deal to move forward with consideration of the expired Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program in tandem with three pending free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Columbia.  Yesterday, President Obama released the trade agreements for consideration in conjunction with the House Rules Committee voting a closed rule for the TAA bill - meaning that when TAA is considered on the House floor, it will be done so without amendments. 

The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to mark up the TAA bill along with the three trade bills on Wednesday, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) has stated that the House intends to consider all bills next week.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) also stated that the Senate intends to pass the bills by October 24th.

Today, the House voted in favor of the Senate-passed continuing resolution that will keep the government funded until November 18th by a vote of 352 to 66.  The 2012 fiscal year began on October 1st without a long-term spending agreement in place.  Last week, the House and Senate passed a short-term extension set to expire at midnight tonight.  The bill cuts most discretionary spending by 1.503% in order to stay under spending caps set by the Budget Control Act.


House Passes CR and Releases LHHS-Ed Appropriations Draft

September 29, 2011 — Today, the House passed a stopgap funding measure by unanimous consent that would continue to fund the government until October 4th.  The current fiscal year expires on Friday, September 30th, and with no long-term spending deal in place, the government once again faced a potential shutdown.  This five-day extension will give the House additional time to consider a longer Senate-passed funding bill that would expire on November 18th or move a different bill for Senate consideration. 

Today, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education released a draft of their long-anticipated FY 2012 appropriations bill.  The bill includes $153.4 billion in discretionary spending, which is $4 billion below FY 2011 enacted levels but significantly higher than what we likely would have seen under the Ryan budgetary levels.

The bill maintains the maximum funding level for the Pell Grant at $5,550, yet it makes significant eligibility changes to the program.  These include the following: eliminates eligibility for less than half-time students; reduces the maximum full-time semesters from 18 down to 12; changes scenarios where one may list zero expected family contribution to $15,000; and changes the income calculation and income protection allowance.

Higher education institutional aid saw significant cuts with elimination of funding for Predominately Black Institutions, Asian American Pacific Islander Institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions, and Tribal Colleges.  Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities saw large cuts with reductions of $87 million and $85 million, respectively.

Other education programs of note include the following: 
•    Career, Technical and Adult Education programs saw a minimal reduction of $2 million, bringing the funding level to $1.123 billion.
•    Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Federal Work Study were level funded at $736 million and $978.5 million.
•    TRIO and GEAR UP were level funded at $826 million and $303 million.

Department of Labor programs that saw significant changes over 2011 enacted levels include the following:
•    Workforce Innovation Fund is eliminated.
•    WIA Adult Training sees a rescission in 2011 advanced funding and a 2012 level that nets a $563 million reduction.
•    WIA Dislocated Worker Assistance sees a rescission in 2011 advanced funding and a 2012 level that nets a 90% cut of $962 million reduction.
•    WIA Youth Training is reduced by 50% at $412 million.

Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of funds to implement Gainful Employment and State Authorization regulations.  The bill is not expected to be marked up by the Appropriations Committee, but these funding levels may be seen in a House omnibus bill later this fall.


Senate Passes Stopgap Funding Bill

September 27, 2011 — Yesterday evening, the Senate passed a modified short-term funding agreement to keep the government running until November 18th.  The measure still has to be considered by the House, but a reduction in the level of disaster aid funding significantly improves chances of passage.  The Senate gave the House two options to keep the government running after the fiscal year expires on September 30th.  The first option would be to pass the $1.043 trillion continuing resolution until November 18th before midnight on Friday.  Or, if the House needs additional time to consider the six-week package, they could pass a Senate approved bill that would extend funding till October 4th.  The latter would allow the House - which is currently in recess - to approve the one-week funding bill by unanimous consent during Wednesday’s pro forma session.  It is unclear which, if either, option the House will pursue.  However, government shutdown will likely be averted for the time being. 


Department of Labor Announces TAA Community College and Career Training Grants

September 26, 2011 — Today, the Department of Labor officially announced the first round of awardees under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant (TAACCCTG) program. 

Award Recipients:  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111409fs.htm

This $500 million in grants is the first round of a four-year $2 billion program created in 2009 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and mandatorily funded within the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.  Funds may be used for community colleges around the country for targeted training and workforce development to help economically dislocated workers who are changing careers. The grants support partnerships between community colleges and employers to develop programs that provide pathways to good jobs, including building instructional programs that meet specific industry needs.

Despite statutory requirements, 17 states did not receive lead grants.  For these states, the Department of Labor has contacted the state agency that covers two-year institutions to work with them on institutional and consortia applications in order to meet this requirement.  These states will receive an estimated $2.7 million.

Applications for TAACCCTG fiscal year 2011 were robust with $3 billion worth of applications for only $500 million in grants.  The remaining $1.5 billion will be awarded equally in fiscal years 2012, 2013, and 2014. 


Senate Passes TAA Extension

September 23, 2011 — Yesterday, the Senate voted on renewing the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, maintaining certain provisions from the 2009 expansion, and extending the overall program through 2013.  The TAA extension was considered as an amendment to legislation related to import subsidies and passed by a vote of 70 - 27.

The bill maintains the TAA Community College and Career Training Program as authorized in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and funded for 2011-2014 in the 2009 Reconciliation Bill. 

The TAA extension represents a compromise brokered by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Representative Dave Camp (R-MI) that would renew TAA but scale back the previous 2009 expansion.   Income support was reduced from 156 weeks to a maximum of 130 weeks, the same as when the program was reorganized in 2002. The health coverage tax credit was cut from 80 percent to 72.5 percent. Additionally, the bill maintained the 2009 additions that expanded eligibility to service workers, and it expanded benefits to cover trade with all countries.

Congress continues to experience gridlock over continued funding to keep the government operational.  The current fiscal year expires September 30th, and there is not yet a compromise on funding.  The main sticking point is the House Republican Majority’s inclusion of offsets to emergency disaster spending.  Traditionally, disaster-related spending has not been offset, and the Senate Democratic Majority has stated they will not pass a bill including offsets. 

After midnight last night, the House passed a continuing resolution (CR) to extend funding until November 18th.  This was the second version of the CR, as on Wednesday the House defeated a similar bill.  The newer bill included more cuts to appeal to the Republicans who voted ‘no’ initially.  This CR was sent to the Senate, where it was voted down this afternoon.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has stated that the Senate will vote again Monday on the CR, but this time with an amendment stripping the offsets.  Congress was set to recess next week, but will likely return to deal with this issue.  Adding to the urgency, FEMA is set to run out of funds on Monday if Congress does not act.


House Fails to Pass CR, Senate Committee Moves Education Funding Bill

September 22, 2011 — Yesterday, the House of Representatives attempted to pass a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through November 18th  (the federal fiscal years ends on September 30), but the resolution was defeated by a 195-230 vote.  Democratic opposition and opposition by a group of Republicans prevented the passage of the bill.  House leaders are working to alter the resolution, but it’s unclear how the bill will be modified.  Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to take up its own continuing resolution, which is different than the House bill.  With the likelihood that the House and Senate will pass different bills, congressional leaders will have to work out their different continuing resolutions prior to the end of the fiscal year. 

 

As expected, the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up its FY 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill and reported out the bill by a vote of 16-14. The bill provides discretionary program-level funding of $12.69 billion for the Department of Labor and $68.43 billion for the Department of Education. The comparable FY 2011 levels were $12.66 billion and $68.35 billion, respectively.

 

The Senate bill eliminates the in-school interest subsidy for undergraduate students during the six-month grace period after college.  The elimination of the subsidy generates $2.34 billion in mandatory savings over five years, of which $1.2 billion will be provided to fill the FY 2012 Pell Grant shortfall.  The Committee maintained the Pell Grant maximum award at $5,550.  For FY 2013, however, there will be a Pell Grant shortfall.  Level funding is also maintained for Title I funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and $100 million is provided for the proposed Workforce Innovation Fund - a competitive grant designed to reward best practices for consortia that retrain and rapidly re-employ workers.  Congress is maneuvering to corral all of the remaining appropriations bill and move an omnibus appropriations bill. 

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Reveals LHHS-Education Bill

September 20, 2011 — Today, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies marked up their FY 2012 appropriations bill.  This bill reflects the new funding caps set forth by the debt limit deal and reduces funding from the FY 2011 final enacted numbers by $308 million.  

Despite a $1.3 billion shortfall in discretionary spending for the Pell Grant program, the maximum award was maintained at $5,550.  Level funding is also maintained for Title I funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  $100 million is provided for the proposed Workforce Innovation Fund - a competitive grant designed to reward best practices for consortia that retrain and rapidly re-employ workers.  

The bill provides discretionary program level funding of $12.69 billion for the Department of Labor and $68.43 billion for the Department of Education. The comparable fiscal year 2011 levels were $12.66 billion for Labor and $68.35 billion for Education.

The bill was voted favorably out of subcommittee by a vote of 10 - 8, and it is expected to be marked up by the full Senate Appropriations Committee tomorrow.  It’s unlikely the bill will be considered on the Senate floor, as all indications are that Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education will be taken up as part of an omnibus bill later this fall.  The House Appropriations Committee continues to postpone marking up their version of the bill, and it remains unclear if a formal markup on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education will occur this year.


President Releases Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction

September 19, 2011 — Today, the President released his Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction.  The proposal is a detailed plan of spending reductions and revenue raisers that purports to produce a net savings of over $3 trillion over 10 years.   Included in this plan is $1.5 trillion in new taxes, including the following measures: repealing Bush-era tax cuts for couples making over $250,000; closing certain corporate tax loopholes; and raising taxes on some millionaires.  Savings from this plan would help pay for the President’s proposed American Jobs Act, including $5 billion in modernization funds for community colleges.  Additionally, the President’s plan seeks to shore up the discretionary funding to the Pell Grant program by providing $50 billion over the next decade to retain the current maximum award of $5,500.  The plan has been presented to the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction for consideration.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Humans Services, and Education is expected to mark up its FY 2012 bill tomorrow afternoon.  Although the bill will not be considered individually on the House floor, funding levels and authorization changes will likely be a part of a larger omnibus appropriations bill expected to be considered in November.  In the meantime, with the fiscal year ending September 30th, the House and Senate are both expected to consider a stop-gap funding measure this week that will extend current funding until November 18th.

The Senate is expected to take a procedural vote today to allow for the consideration of an extension to the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.  The Senate is expected to get the 60 votes necessary to consider TAA as an amendment to a House-passed bill that would revive the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program.  If passed, TAA would then move back to the House to be considered in conjunction with GSP.  Speaker Boehner has pledged to bring up this bill for consideration on the House floor as part of a larger deal that would also bring forth three pending free-trade bills.



House Introduces Short-Term Funding Bill for FY 2012

September 15, 2011 — Yesterday evening, the House Appropriations Committee introduced H.J.Res. 79, a bill to extend current federal funding into the new fiscal year, which begins on October 1st.  This continuing resolution (CR) includes an across the board cut of 1.409% in order for spending to fall under the new budgetary caps ($1.043 trillion for FY 2012) agreed to during the debt limit negotiations. 

The CR would extend funding until November 18th, at which time another short- or long-term funding bill must be passed.  A 1.409% reduction would equate to a $962 million cut in discretionary funding for the Department of Education.  For Pell Grants, the maximum award is still set at $5,500.

With fatigue over the extending negotiations for final FY 2011 funding and the debt limit debate, an across the board cut with bipartisan spending caps represents the path of least resistance for swift passage.  It also signals that House leadership may wish to avoid another scenario of prolonged partisan debate.  One point of contention within the bill may be the offsets to the $3.64 billion in disaster funding in the House bill.  Senate appropriators have stated opposition for the offsets, and both sides still need to come to an agreement on the issue.

The House is expected to consider this legislation next week.


Community College Provisions in the American Jobs Act

September 13, 2011 — Last evening, President Obama formally introduced his American Jobs Act legislation as outlined in last Thursday’s joint address to Congress. The President’s proposal includes two major initiatives impacting community colleges, which are summarized below. 

Community College Modernization - $5 billion would be used to modernize (not new construction) community college infrastructure and ensure that institutions have the equipment and facilities necessary to train workers in highly technical and growing fields. 

Funds would be distributed to states using a formula based on student enrollment.  This number is calculated by adding the number of students at a state’s junior or community colleges plus the number of students pursuing certificates or degrees (excluding bachelors and advanced degrees) at applicable 4-year institutions.  4-year institutions must award a significant number of certificates and non-advanced or bachelor degrees. States must apply for these funds though the Secretary of Education, and outline areas where funds would be used, for what purpose, and potential job creation.  No state shall receive less than $2.5 million, and the Secretary of Education is to reserve .25 percent of all fund to be distributed to Tribal Colleges and .25 percent for outlying areas.  States may also reserve up to 1 percent (not to exceed $750,000) for grant administration.  Individual estimates of state distribution can be viewed here:  http://www.acct.org/American_Jobs_Act.pdf

Funds would then be reallocated at the state level to projects designed to modernize, renovate or repair existing facilities.  There are certain requirements regarding usage of funds.  Funds must be used to supplement and may not supplant other state funding dedicated to community college modernization.  Funds cannot be used for new construction or routine maintenance, and may not be used on sports facilities or religious worship.  Four year institutions are eligible to receive funds, but may not use it for modernization of facilities not used by applicable degree and certificate students.  Green projects are permitted, but must be consistent with current energy rating systems such as LEED and Energy Star. 

If passed, funds would be available for the 2012 fiscal year and must be obligated within 36 months after passage.  Any remaining funds would be reallocated by the Secretary proportionately. 

Pathways Back to Work Fund - The President creates a Pathway Back to Work Fund, which includes $1.5 billion to be provided for competitive grants to local entities in support of consortia that have demonstrated effective strategies in carrying out work-based training to unemployed and low-income individuals. 

This proposal would reward consortia of local governments, workforce boards, businesses, and communities colleges that execute strategies that lead to employment, including supporting career pathways that provide students with the academic preparation and training and acquiring industry-recognized credentials in a growth sector.

As stated in the section-by-section analysis provided by the White House, these activities may include: on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs; sector-based training programs that include a significant work experience component; acquisition of industry-recognized credentials in a growth sector; connections to immediate work opportunities that includes concurrent skills training; career academies that include paid internships and concurrent enrollment in community colleges; and integrated basic education and training for low-skilled adults.

Priority will be given to grant applicants from areas of high poverty and high unemployment.  Applications must include the strategies and activities that will be used to provide unemployed, low-income adults or low-income youth with the skills needed for employment; target populations within those categories, such as individuals with disabilities and individuals who have exhausted all rights to unemployment compensation; how the activities will address the needs of the target populations and employers in the local area; expected outcomes; evidence that the funds may be expended expeditiously; coordination with other programs; evidence of employer commitment to participate, including identification of anticipated occupational and skill needs; and assurances regarding reporting and labor standards and protections.



President Obama Formally to Submit American Jobs Act Bill

September 12, 2011 —  As stated during last Thursday’s joint session of Congress, President Obama will formally submit his proposed American Jobs Act bill this evening. 

The proposed $5 billion in modernization funds for community colleges takes the form of a program that would distribute funds to each state based on a formula of student enrollment within those institutions.  From there, states would be given the discretion of how to award funds and where to prioritize projects based on need.   New construction is excluded from awards in favor of repairs and modernization.  Projects should be shovel ready to the point that they could be completed within 36 months, and funds would be distributed by September 30th, 2012. To view the potential state funding distribution, visit http://www.acct.org/American_Jobs_Act.pdf .

Despite a strong need for modernization, the school construction funds remain one of the most divisive provisions of the American Jobs Act.  Congress has the authority to consider any or all of President Obama’s plan, and early indications seem to be that the package may not be considered as a whole. 

The Senate has indicated that it would like to take up an extension for the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program before September 30th.  If the extension were considered and passed, it would than require subsequent passage by the House.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has moved to appeal a federal court decision that struck down a portion of ED’s Title IV program integrity regulations dealing with state authorizations for distance learning.  This portion of the regulation would require that Title IV receiving institutions remain in compliance with individual state authorization requirements for distance learning, which means that institutions with out-of-state students taking distance learning courses must be abide by that state’s authorization requirements.  Courts had struck down this portion not due to content, but due to process requirements.  The court found that ED had not adequately allowed for public comments on the proposed regulation.



President Obama's Jobs Speech and Community Colleges

September 9, 2011 —  Last night, President Obama addressed the nation in a joint session of Congress to outline his plan for the economy and jobs.  The President’s plan, entitled “The American Jobs Act,” includes $447 billion in spending and tax cuts designed to improve current economic conditions.  Key parts of the plan include expansion and extension of the payroll tax break; tax credits for companies that hire unemployed workers; funds to prevent K-12 teacher and staff layoffs; funds to modernize schools and vacant properties; $50 billion in road, rail and aviation modernization; and an extension and reforms to unemployment insurance.  The burden to pay for the plan would fall on the 12 members of the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction, who have already begun working on a $1.5 trillion spending reduction, as mandated in the Budget Control Act. 

Incorporated in the President’s proposal were two major initiatives impacting community colleges.  The first is a $5 billion investment to modernize community colleges (including tribal colleges).  These funds, which are formula based, would be used to modernize infrastructure and ensure that communities colleges have the equipment and facilities necessary to train workers in highly technical and growing fields.  Funds would not be used for new construction, but for updating facilities, making campuses more energy efficient, and upgrading technology.

Additionally, the President proposed a fund to incentivize and reward local governments for implementing effective workforce training and employment strategies.  Similar to the previously proposed “Workforce Incentive Fund,” this proposal would reward consortia of local governments, workforce boards, businesses, and communities colleges that execute strategies that lead to employment, including supporting career pathways that provide students with the academic preparation and training and acquiring industry-recognized credentials in a growth sector.

It remains to be seen if Congress will consider any or all of President Obama’s proposal.  Finding a bipartisan agreement on offsets to pay for the additional spending and tax cuts may prove challenging. 


President to Present Jobs Plan to Congress and the Nation

September 8, 2011 —  Tonight at 7pm, President Obama will address the nation in a joint session of Congress to outline his plan for the economy and jobs.  The President’s plan, entitled “The American Jobs Act,” is anticipated to include $300 billion in stimulus funds, which would include various offsets yet to be disclosed.  It is widely believe that this plan will include emergency funding for education jobs and school construction, an infrastructure bank, an extension of unemployment insurance, tax breaks for companies who hire unemployed workers, and an extension of the payroll tax cut.  The President has stated that a number of new ideas will also be presented during the speech.

Yesterday, the Senate ratified its subcommittee, or 302(b), allocations, determining the individual spending caps for each subcommittee.  For Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, the cap is set at $157.1 billion, or $300 million less than in FY 2011.  The House has postponed tomorrow’s scheduled markup of the FY 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee appropriations bill. We do not yet know the House’s 302(b) allocations, and a draft of the bill has yet to be released.  The Senate is eyeing the week of September 19th to hold their markup.

House Republican leadership has announced that they would like to vote on a stopgap funding measure for FY 2012 the week of September 19th.  The FY 2011 fiscal year comes to a close on September 30th, and negotiators on the stopgap bill state that it will extend funding until “late fall.”  A deal has yet to be reached on what would be included in this package, endangering the target date for consideration on the floor. 

The prospects for an extension of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program have brightened as legislative action surrounding trade has risen to a priority for the House and Senate.  On Wednesday, the House unanimously passed HR 2832, a bill to renew the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).  GSP allows certain goods from over 120 countries to enter the country duty-free.  HR 2832 will now head to the Senate, where it is will most likely be considered as a package with a TAA extension.  While it would still have to pass both bodies with the addition of TAA, the popularity of the GSP program increases chances of passage.  Additionally, President Obama has stated that with passage of TAA and GSP, he would press forward with three pending free-trade agreements with Panama, South Korea, and Columbia.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has stated he would not bring up the free-trade bills without first considering TAA; contending the necessity of TAA with the potential of jobs moving overseas due to the free-trade bills.  With many Republican members clamoring for the passage of the free-trade bills, its appears a deal could be in order for extending TAA.



Congress Back from August Recess

September 6, 2011 —  Today and tomorrow, the Senate and House reconvene to begin consideration of a bevy of legislative matters that must be addressed before the end of the year.  These meetings will be the first time both bodies will convene to consider legislative business since the frenzied passage of the Budget Control Act (BCA) in early August.

As the fiscal year comes to a close on September 30th, much focus will center on impending appropriations for 2012 and mandates under the new BCA.  The BCA sets forth new discretionary spending caps, or 302(a) allocations, for FY 2012 - FY 2021 that the appropriations committee must not exceed.  On Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee will meet to adopt the subcommittees allocations, or 302(b) allocations, for FY 2012, and the House will likely follow suit soon thereafter.  House leadership has stated that they will abide by the caps set under the BCA despite speculation that they may proceed with the lower caps set forth by the Ryan Budget.  Despite the higher caps under BCA, Congress will still need to cut $6 billion in spending over the final FY 2011 numbers.

The House Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education will mark up their appropriations bill on Friday morning.  The Senate subcommittee has also stated their intent to mark up an appropriations bill as early as this week.  These bills are not expected to be considered on the floor, but they will prove meaningful in developing any stopgap spending measure or future omnibus appropriations bill. 

Thursday morning, the ‘Super Committee’ will conduct its first organizational meeting.  The Super Committee has been tasked with developing a plan to reduce spending by a targeted $1.5 trillion.  This plan must be supported by a majority of the committee and sent to Congress for consideration by November 23rd. 

Thursday evening, President Obama will be addressing a joint session of Congress to outline his plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs.


House and Senate Choose Members for Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

August 15, 2011 — Last week, House and Senate Leadership finalized selections for the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.  This committee has been chosen in accordance with the Budget Control Act of 2011 to develop a proposal to reduce overall government spending by a target of $1.5 trillion over the next decade.  The following members have been named to the committee:
 
SENATE                                                                                  
Patty Murray (D-WA) - co-chair                                            
Max Baucus (D-MT)                                                               
John Kerry (D-MA)                                                                 
Jon Kyl (R-AZ)                                                                         
Pat Toomey (R-PA)                                                                 
Rob Portman (R-OH)
                                                              
HOUSE
Jeb Hensarling (R- TX) - co-chair
Dave Camp (R- MI)
Fred Upton (R-MI)
James E. Clyburn (D-SC)
Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)    

The Budget Control Act sets forth a timeline for the Joint Committee to come up with spending reductions and for Congress to vote on their proposal.  By November 23 of this year, the Joint Committee must vote on a plan to reduce funding by $1.5 trillion over the period of Fiscal Years 2012 - 2021.  If the plan is approved by at least seven members, it will proceed to the House and Senate for consideration, where it must be voted on by December 23. 

If Congress does not approve at least $1.2 trillion in savings, an automatic reduction in spending known as sequestration will occur on January 2, 2013.  The Pell Grant program is exempt from cuts under sequestration for 2013, but the discretionary portion of the program would be subject to cuts by the Appropriations Committee starting in 2014.  Additionally, the Joint Committee has the discretion to cut funding to the program or change eligibility.

Tomorrow, on August 16, the House Education and Workforce Committee will be holding a field hearing in Greenville, SC entitled "Reviving our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job Growth and Development".   The hearing will have two panels: the first focusing on job opportunities and the local economy and the second on preparing graduates to join the workforce. Witnesses include Dr. Keith Miller, President of Greenville Technical College. The hearing will be held at 1:00pm at Carolina First Gallery at Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), located at 5 Research Drive in Greenville, SC.


Congress Approves & President Signs Debt Ceiling Deal, Congress Moves to Recess

August 2, 2011 —  Congress has approved the deal to increase the debt ceiling, known as the Budget Control Act of 2011, and the President has signed the bill into law. The House approved the deal in a bipartisan 269 to 161 vote yesterday evening, with 174 Republicans and 95 Democrats in favor. Today, the Senate approved the deal 74 to 26, with 28 Republicans and 46 Democrats in favor. The legislation was enacted just in time to clear Tuesday’s deadline before default would have occurred.

The debt ceiling is immediately increased by $400 billion, and an additional increase of $500 billion will occur later this fall, subject to Congressional disapproval. Meetings of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction,  or ‘super committee,’ tasked with finding $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction will also begin this fall. ACCT will continue to advocate for maintaining investments in the Pell Grant and other financial aid and higher education programs.

The House and Senate immediately began their August recess following conclusion of the debt ceiling bill. Congress will return to work on September 6 and 7 to a significant backload of pending legislation. In particular, the appropriations process will resume in the House and Senate, with the current fiscal year scheduled to end on September 30. A short-term continuing resolution is likely to be required, as Congress will not be able to pass and conference all appropriations bills in three weeks. Alternatively, leaders could decide to pursue an omnibus appropriations bill. Under the debt ceiling legislation, total discretionary spending in FY 2012 is limited to $1.043 trillion ($7 billion below current levels). The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education (LHHS) will likely move to mark up the LHHS appropriations bill sometime in mid-September.

Congress and the Administration will also return to the pending submission and ratification of free trade agreements, including reauthorizing the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. Many House and Senate Republicans remain opposed to the pairing of TAA with the free trade agreements due to program costs, but the Administration strongly prefers they be paired together. TAA provides retraining benefits to displaced workers that are often utilized at community colleges. The TAA Community College and Career Training Grant Program also needs reauthorization to clarify program eligibility and other issues.

Mark up of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reauthorization bill in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will likely be scheduled. After several previous delays in July, WIA was most recently scheduled for mark up on August 3. Staffers confirm that the legislation is still on track for mark up sometime after the recess.


Congress Reaches Debt Deal that Cuts $2.4 Trillion, Preserves Pell Grant Temporarily

August 1, 2011 —  White House and Congressional leaders reached a deal last night to increase the debt ceiling before Tuesday’s deadline. The deal authorizes an increase to the debt limit by at least $2.1 trillion (enough to last through the end of 2012) and calls for at least $2.4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next 10 years. An immediate short-term increase to the debt ceiling is provided, with two longer-term increases subject to Congressional disapproval. Discretionary spending caps also take effect immediately, saving $917 billion over ten years and including $350 billion in defense spending cuts. The remaining deficit reduction of $1.5 trillion would be decided on by a joint Congressional ‘super-committee’ that will be required to report legislation by November 23, 2011 and will receive fast-track protections. Congress is required to vote on the committee’s recommendations by December 23, 2011. If the committee does not reach an agreement by Thanksgiving, $1.2 trillion in across-the-board cuts would automatically go into effect in 2013 - known as sequestration - with half of the cuts going to defense spending, and the other half to domestic discretionary spending.

The deal also includes $17 billion in funding over two years for the Pell Grant ($10 billion in FY 2012 and $7 billion in FY 2013) and which protects the maximum grant at $5,550 and helps to close some of the projected shortfall in the program. The funding is paid for by eliminating the interest subsidy on graduate and professional student loans. For FY 2012, a shortfall of $1.3 billion would remain. The Pell Grant could face cuts or eligibility changes in future years, as appropriators seek to comply with the bill’s spending caps. When Congress continues the appropriations process for FY 2012 this September, it is unclear whether they will choose to close the remaining shortfall through changing eligibility, cutting other programs, or simply carrying forward the shortfall to FY 2013.

Total discretionary spending in FY 2012 will be limited to $1.043 trillion ($7 billion below current levels) and $1.047 trillion in FY 2013 ($3 billion below current levels). Defense and security savings would represent roughly half of the reductions over this two year period.

The joint committee would be empowered to propose cuts to entitlement programs this fall. This means that the committee could examine future cuts to the Pell Grant or potentially the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program. If the joint committee were to fail to report deficit-reduction legislation, sequestration would spare the Pell Grant under a list of exempted programs. However, other higher education programs such as SEOG, TRIO, and Work Study would not be exempt from cuts under sequestration.

Finally, the deal also requires that between October 1 and December 31, 2011 both the House and Senate vote on a Balanced Budget Constitutional amendment.

Both the House and Senate may consider the legislation and take votes today. Given criticism of the deal from both sides of the aisle, passage of the bill in the House may prove difficult, although passage in the Senate appears more likely.


Pell Grant Funding in Danger as House Approaches Vote on Boehner Debt Ceiling Bill

July 29, 2011 —  After three days of wrangling for votes and numerous revisions, the House will vote this evening on Speaker John Boehner’s (R-OH) bill to raise the debt ceiling. After failing to gather enough votes from Tea Party conservatives last night to proceed to a vote, Boehner has altered his bill to include a Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) provision. As amended, a second debt ceiling increase roughly six months from now would be tied to Congress sending a Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) to the states. It now appears that enough Republicans will support the legislation to pass it. However, inclusion of the BBA provision will further reduce any chance of Democratic support for the bill, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) plans immediately to vote down the legislation on Saturday. Additionally, President Obama has promised to veto Boehner’s bill if it were to somehow reach his desk.

Reid said that he will file cloture today on his own plan to raise the debt ceiling through the 2012 election and to cut spending by approximately $2.2 trillion. The move sets up a series of procedural votes on the Reid plan through this weekend, with final votes occurring on Sunday at the earliest. Reid is reaching out to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for a deal that would secure the 60 votes necessary to proceed to and approve the legislation. At this time, it is unclear how the standoff between the House and Senate will be resolved prior to the deadline of next Tuesday.

Media reports indicated yesterday that many members have objected to the inclusion of Pell Grant funding in the Boehner bill. Both the original Boehner and Reid plans use savings from elimination of the in-school graduate and professional loan interest subsidy to provide additional mandatory funding for the Pell Grant. Although the latest revision to the Boehner bill does not strip the funds, Pell Grants continue to be targeted in the final negotiations in the House and Senate.

Please call Congress immediately to support Pell Grant funding. Dial the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative. Then, please call both of your senators using the same number.

Please state that you strongly support the inclusion of Pell Grant funding in the final debt ceiling negotiations. Without these funds, the maximum Pell Grant of $5,550 and the awards of millions of students nationwide will be in danger.

At this time, phone calls are most effective. The House and Senate will be in session this weekend so calls can be placed at any time. Background information on Pell Grants is available at http://www.pellgrantactioncenter.org. Please dial the U.S. Capitol Switchboard now at (202) 224-3121.


House Debt Ceiling Bill Postponed after CBO Score, Path Remains Unclear

July 27, 2011 — A vote on Speaker John Boehner’s (R-OH) bill to raise the debt ceiling was postponed on Wednesday after the Congressional Budget Office found that the bill falls $150 billion short of the $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction over 10 years that Boehner originally pledged. Thursday is now the earliest a House vote could occur on the measure. Boehner is working to find additional savings to shore up support for the bill, which does not yet have the support of enough House Republicans to pass. Senate Democrats said Tuesday that no matter how Boehner’s debt ceiling plan fares in the House, it is dead on arrival in the Senate, and the President also threatened to veto the bill if it were to somehow reach his desk. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) bill to cut $2.7 trillion similarly scored lower than expected, with the CBO finding just $2.2 trillion in deficit savings relative to baseline. The report could mean that Reid, like Boehner, might have to re-work his plan in order to achieve his target number.

The bills are similar in domestic discretionary spending levels; while Boehner’s bill cuts $1 billion more in FY 2012, their numbers are the same in FY 2013. The Boehner plan, as does the Senate plan, uses savings from elimination of the in-school graduate and professional loan interest subsidy to provide additional mandatory funding for Pell, though in slightly different amounts. The House adds $9 billion in FY 2012, while the Senate ads $10.5 billion (there is a total shortfall of $11.2 billion in FY 2012 but some of that can be carried over). The House provides $8 billion in FY 2013, while the Senate provides $7.5 billion. Thus overall the Senate provides a total of $18 billion in additional funding for the Pell Grant, while the House provides $17 billion. The similarities between the two bills could indicate an approaching Congressional consensus around an FY 2012 spending cap and Pell Grant funding.


House and Senate Go Their Separate Ways on Debt Ceiling Debate

July 26, 2011 — After much discussion between Congressional leaders and the President, the House and Senate are expected to consider their own separate bills that would cut trillions in spending but also increase the debt ceiling level.  Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) introduced his bill to increase the debt ceiling, and he announced that the House will consider the bill tomorrow. The House bill would cut spending by $1.2 trillion and increase the debt ceiling by $1 trillion, which should extend it by six months.  The bill would also create a Congressional commission charged with finding $1.8 trillion in savings.  After enactment of the savings, the President could request to increase the debt ceiling by $1.6 trillion, and Congress would still need to pass an additional debt ceiling increase next year.  The House bill would also set a higher FY2012 budget by over $24 billion than what was passed in the Ryan Budget.  In terms of education funding, the bill would eliminate the in-school loan subsidy for graduate and professional students.  In turn, the bill would utilize some of these savings from the elimination of the loan subsidy and provide $9 billion for FY2012 and $8 billion for FY2013 in additional mandatory funds for the Pell Grant program.  The House bill can be viewed at: http://www.rules.house.gov/Media/file/PDF_112_1/legislativetext/S627%20amnt.pdf.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced a bill to the Senate, but it will not move his bill until the House considers Speaker Boehner’s bill.  The Senate bill includes $2.7 trillion in cuts and would extend the debt ceiling until after general elections in 2012.  The bill would set the FY2012 spending level at $1.045 trillion, slightly higher than the House bill.  The Senate bill also creates a Congressional commission to suggest additional savings by the end of the year.  As with the House bill, the Senate bill would eliminate the in-school loan subsidy for graduate and professional students.  The Senate bill would provide $10.5 billion for FY2012 and $7.5 billion for FY2013 in additional mandatory Pell Grant funds. 

At the present time, it is unclear whether either bill has sufficient support to pass in either chamber.  Nevertheless, the House is expected to lead the way with a vote tomorrow, and the Senate will consider its bill sometime afterwards. 


Senate Tables House's Cut, Cap, and Balance Bill

July 22, 2011—Today, the Senate tabled a motion to consider the House passed H.R. 2560, the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act, by a 51-46 vote, thereby killing the legislation.  With this action, it now appears that Congressional leaders will renew their efforts to find a solution to the debt ceiling increase.   President Obama and the Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) continue to negotiate on a debt ceiling, but the specifics of these discussions have not been made public.     

Yesterday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and  Education announced that the scheduled markup on July 26 would be postponed.  Additionally, the House Appropriations Committee was slated to consider the subcommittee’s bill on August 2nd, but this will now not transpire.  It appears that at the earliest, the Subcommittee can mark up a bill during the week of September 7. 

With the revision of the House schedule, ACCT strongly encourages community college advocates to utilize the Congressional work period in August to continue to press for Congressional support of the Pell Grant program.  For more information and tools, visit:  www.pellgrantactioncenter.org

House Passes 'Cut, Cap, Balance' Bill

July 20, 2011 - Last night, the House passed H.R. 2560 “Cut, Cap and Balance Act” by a vote of 234-190, with 5 Democrats voting for the bill and 9 Republicans against it. Senate Democratic leaders have declared the bill dead on arrival, and the President has vowed to veto the legislation should it reach his desk. It is believed that House leaders will now move toward a compromise agreement to raise the debt ceiling by August 2.

The $3.7 trillion ‘Gang of Six’ plan for deficit-reduction continued to receive bipartisan praise since its unveiling yesterday. However, even if the plan were to acquire the necessary support in both chambers, it remains unlikely that Congress could assemble the legislative language and have the bill scored by the Congressional Budget Office in time for its passage by August 2. Notably, the ‘Gang of Six’ plan includes a direction for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions to find an unspecified $70 billion in discretionary and/or mandatory savings over 10 years, which could include Pell Grants.

Today, the President signaled that he may be open to a short-term debt ceiling extension to accomplish larger deficit-reduction, after previously opposing the idea; this could allow more time for a larger deal to be adopted. Meanwhile, more details are becoming available about the ‘fallback option’ for the debt ceiling being crafted by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). The plan would include $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years, almost all of which would come from discretionary spending, by setting a cap of $1.048 trillion - $1 billion below FY 11 but $30 billion above the House-passed level of $1.019 trillion in the ‘Ryan Budget.’

Debt Ceiling Negotiations in Flux as Default Approaches

July 19, 2011 - Today the House is considering H.R. 2560 “Cut, Cap and Balance Act.” The bill cuts discretionary spending by $111 billion from current levels for FY 2012, imposes spending caps over the next 10 years that fall to 19.9% of GDP (the same level of spending in the Republican budget which was adopted earlier this year), requires Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment in order to raise the debt ceiling, and requires a supermajority (2/3 vote) to raise any revenue. H.R. 2560 appears likely to be approved by the House. However, it is widely expected that the measure will then fail in the Senate next week. The passage of the legislation in the House is the first step in moving toward an alternative agreement to raise the debt ceiling. The debt ceiling must be increased by August 2 or the government will default.

Debt ceiling negotiations are ongoing between the Administration and Congressional leaders, with several options under consideration. The so-called ‘Gang of Six’ re-united today to present a comprehensive $3.7 trillion deficit-reduction plan to fellow Senators. The plan includes 74 percent spending cuts and 26 percent additional revenues, including $1 trillion in revenues from closing a variety of special tax breaks. The group’s plan received bipartisan praise from Senators and President Obama, but Congressional leaders have said it would be very difficult to pair the framework with a debt ceiling increase in the available time before August 2. Instead, it could provide a path toward deficit-reduction after the debt ceiling is raised.

As a fallback option to prevent default, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is working with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on legislation to give President Obama authority to raise the $14.3 trillion debt limit. According to media reports, the leaders are nearing agreement to attach $1.5 trillion in spending cuts to the legislation and set up a special committee of lawmakers to recommend a deficit-reduction package that would receive an automatic vote on the Senate floor.

Meanwhile, the appropriations process for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) is moving forward, but the schedule remains fluid. Although the markup to set specific program allocations is still set for July 26, it is possible this markup will be delayed as Congress considers a solution to the debt ceiling impasse. At the markup, cuts to postsecondary programs and potential changes to the Pell Grant will be made evident. The amount allocated for LHHS is $18.2 billion below FY 2011 (or 12 percent below current funding). Cuts are likely to be felt widely.

TAA Moves Forward in Senate; Gainful Employment Hearing Tomorrow

July 7, 2011 - Today, the Senate Finance Committee marked up and reported the free trade agreements with Panama, Columbia, and South Korea, along with the reauthorization of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. The Committee voted down an amendment to strip the entire TAA program from the free trade agreements by a vote of 13-11. Two amendments that would have endangered funding for the TAA Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) were not offered. However, the Committee action remains nonbinding on the language that will ultimately be considered by the Senate.* House Ways & Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) has announced that his committee will consider the free trade agreements separately from a reauthorization of TAA. Thank you to everyone who contacted their Senators in support of the CCCTG program.

Tomorrow, the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training will hold a hearing on the Department of Education's gainful employment regulations at 10AM EST. The hearing will be conducted jointly with the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight and Government Spending. A live webcast of the hearing will be available at: http://edworkforce.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=249467

Finally, Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) last week introduced the Senate version of a bill to rescind the Department of Education’s credit hour and state authorization regulations that went into effect last Friday, July 1. As with the House bill, the Senate measure (S. 1297) has three main provisions: 1) a repeal of the state authorization regulation that significantly expands and complicates existing federal requirements for an institution to legally operate within a state; 2) a repeal of the new federal definition of a credit hour; and 3) a ban prohibiting the education secretary from promulgating a rule to establish a federal definition of a credit hour in the future. It is unclear whether the legislation will be given a hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

* Trade agreements are considered under a set of “fast track” rules. Under those rules,  the President can send negotiated trade agreements to Capitol Hill, but Congress can only approve or disapprove the agreements in their entirety, not amend them.  Committee members in the House and Senate can only debate the agreements and hold a “mock” amendment process.  Any agreed-upon amendments are non-binding and may only be sent back to the White House for consideration.  Eventually the White House will send a complete agreement to the House and Senate for "up or down" votes.

URGENT ACTION NEEDED--Senate Committee to Consider Amendments to Eliminate the CCCTG program

July 6, 2011 - The Senate Finance Committee is expected to consider and markup the Free Trade Agreements with Korea, Panama, Columbia and the reauthorization of the Trade Adjustment Act tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.  Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has filed an amendment #2, which would eliminate the TAA Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program in its entirety.  Additionally, congressional staff have indicated that Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) will offer an amendment to move the CCCTG program funding from mandatory funding to discretionary funding, which would also likely eliminate the program.  ACCT strongly opposes these two amendments. 

We strongly urge anyone who has a Senator on the committee to call them tomorrow morning to urge them to oppose these two amendments.  You can reach senate offices through the capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Senate Finance Committee Roster

Democrats (13)   
Max Baucus MT - Chairman
John Rockefeller, IV, WV
Kent Conrad, ND
Jeff Bingaman, NM
John Kerry, MA
Ron Wyden, OR
Charles Schumer, NY
Debbie Stabenow, Mich.
Maria Cantwell, WA
Bill Nelson, FL
Robert Menedez, NJ
Thomas Carper, DE
Benjamin L. Cardin, MD
   
Republicans (11)
Orrin Hatch,UT - Ranking Member
Chuck Grassley, IA
Olympia Snowe, ME
John Kyl, AZ
Mike Crapo, ID
Pat Roberts, KS
Mike Enzi, WY
John Cornyn, TX
Tom Coburn, OK
John Thune, SD
Richard Burr, NC

Gainful Employment Regulations Take Effect; TAA Reauthorization Delayed

July 1, 2011 - The U.S. Department of Education’s regulations on ‘gainful employment’ take effect today. Disclosure of consumer information on GE programs are due today, and colleges must meet other reporting requirements by October 1. For more information about institution requirements, visit: http://www.ifap.ed.gov/GainfulEmploymentInfo/

Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced that the Senate will be in session next week, instead of taking their previously scheduled July 4 recess. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) indicated that he will release a budget on Tuesday, July 5. Until now, Chairman Conrad has not produced any draft budget that has been available to the public, as Democratic committee members have been unable to reach agreement. Chairman Conrad’s budget is expected to include long-term deficit reduction measures.

Also yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee postponed an open markup of the bill to reauthorize the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program and several pending free-trade agreements. Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) delayed the hearing after Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and all other Republicans boycotted the hearing. Although a deal with the Administration for TAA and free-trade agreements had been announced earlier this week, TAA reauthorization reportedly met resistance from some committee members. A new date for the markup has not been announced.

Finally, the U.S. Department of Education announced today proposed competition criteria for the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Fund. Included in the criteria are statewide workforce credentials for early childhood educators and increasing the number of postsecondary institutions that provide professional development for early childhood educators. Many of these professional development programs currently occur at community colleges. A total of $700 million is available to support statewide comprehensive plans to coordinate and elevate early learning and development programs with award sizes ranging from $50 to $100 million per state. The proposed criteria are available for comment through an online forum at: http://www.ed.gov/early-learning/elc-draft-summary

REMINDER: Take Action: AACC and ACCT have launched an advocacy campaign to protect Pell Grants for community college students. As Congress considers fiscal year 2012 appropriations, we need your help to preserve the Pell Grant maximum at $5,550. Please visit http://www.pellgrantactioncenter.org/ where you can take action to help ‘Stand Up for Pell Grants!’

TAA deal struck; DREAM Hearing; WIA markup delayed

June 28, 2011 - The Administration has reached a deal with key lawmakers to renew the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program in combination with ratifying pending free trade agreements this week. The Finance Committee will begin marking up the free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, along with a reauthorization of TAA, on Thursday. TAA provides financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs because of trade-related market disruptions, many of whom choose to enroll in job-training courses at community colleges. It is unclear at this time what the extent of the reauthorization, or the funding levels for the program, will be. The breakthrough paves the way for ratifying the largest package of free trade agreements since Congress passed NAFTA in 1993.

Today, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security held the first-ever Senate hearing on the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, S. 952. The sponsor of the legislation, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) chaired the hearing, and the subcommittee also heard testimony from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. ACCT and AACC joined over submitted a letter in support of the legislation. In total, over 141 organizations submitted letters of support.

Finally, the scheduled Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee markup of the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act has been delayed until Wednesday, July 13. Committee staff are working to prepare revisions to the bill from the circulated draft, though it remains unclear which suggestions will be incorporated into the introduced version.

REMINDER: Take Action: AACC and ACCT have launched an advocacy campaign to protect Pell Grants for community college students. As Congress considers fiscal year 2012 appropriations, we need your help to preserve the Pell Grant maximum at $5,550. Please visit http://www.pellgrantactioncenter.org/ where you can take action to help ‘Stand Up for Pell Grants!’

Debt-ceiling Negotiations Stall; Take Action on Pell

June 24, 2011 - Yesterday, bipartisan deficit and debt-ceiling negotiations led by Vice President Joe Biden encountered problems when House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) announced that they were pulling out of talks until further notice. Cantor declared that it was time for President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to negotiate directly and repeated that Republicans would not accept any tax increases in a deal to increase the debt-ceiling. Meanwhile, the Administration continues to insist that closing tax exemptions must be part of a deficit reduction deal. Negotiators have agreed to match any increase in the debt ceiling with a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the deficit, or more than $2 trillion in deficit reduction over 10 years. It remains unclear when debt-ceiling negotiations will restart, but the nation will reach its statutory limit on borrowing authority on August 2. Several weeks of legislative action will be needed prior to August 2 to enact a potential deal.

Take Action:

AACC and ACCT have launched a major advocacy campaign to protect Pell Grants for community college students. As Congress considers fiscal year 2012 appropriations, we need your help to preserve the Pell Grant maximum at $5,550. More than 9.4 million students are projected to receive a Pell Grant in the coming year, with more than a third of those recipients attending community colleges. In total, community college students will receive approximately $10 billion in aid this year to help afford tuition, books, transportation, and living expenses. Given the focus on cutting spending in Washington, it’s critical that we make the case for investing in our nation’s long term economic competitiveness.

Please visit http://www.pellgrantactioncenter.org/ where you can take action to help ‘Stand Up for Pell Grants!’

Without your support for a robust Pell Grant, millions of students could see their awards reduced or eliminated, forcing them to take longer to finish their degrees or forgo higher education altogether. Congress must hear from community college trustees, presidents, faculty, and staff about the positive impact that Pell Grants have had for higher education accessibility on your campus. Please visit http://www.pellgrantactioncenter.org/ today.

'Stand Up for Pell Grants' Webinar Tomorrow

June 20, 2011 - Tomorrow, AACC and ACCT will launch a major advocacy campaign to protect Pell Grants for community college students. AACC and ACCT CEOs Walter Bumphus and J. Noah Brown will host a free webinar featuring the AACC and ACCT government relations staff tomorrow, June 21. They will bring you up to date on the latest developments in the battle to save the Pell Grant program in Congress.  Please join us to learn how you can help with efforts to preserve the Pell Grant maximum at $5,550.

Register Now for a Free AACC/ACCT Webinar:
"Stand Up for Pell Grants”
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EDT
Register Now

With a record 8.1 million college students awarded Pell Grants in 2009-10 and 9.4 million projected in the coming year, the cost of the program is rising dramatically. More than a third of the recipients attend community colleges, resulting in approximately $9.5 billion in Pell Grant funds being awarded to public 2-year students. Given the current emphasis on Capitol Hill on cutting federal spending, it's critical that we make the case now for preserving the Pell Grant. 

After registering, you will be provided with all the information you need to participate in this important webinar, including your unique URL and call-in information. We look forward to your participation tomorrow, June 21!

House Committee Adopts State Authorization Repeal Bill

June 15, 2011 - Today the House Education & Workforce Committee marked up and passed H.R. 2117, a bill that would repeal the U.S. Department of Education’s recent regulations on the definition of a credit hour and state authorization programs. The bill was referred to the whole House by a bipartisan vote of 27 to 11, with 4 Democrats joining the Republican members in support of the bill. ACCT signed on to a letter in support of H.R. 2117. The regulations go into effect on July 1, but it remains unclear when the legislation will receive a vote of the whole House or whether it will be considered in the Senate.

The House continues to move forward on FY 2012 appropriations bills despite lacking a deal with the Senate on spending levels. Labor-HHS-Education appropriations allocations under the House-passed budget are 11.6% below FY 2011 levels - a cut of $18.2 billion. This allocation does not include the additional dollars needed to close the $11.2 billion shortfall in Pell Grant funding. The Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill is scheduled for subcommittee markup on July 26 and full committee markup on August 2, and is now tentatively set for House floor action the week of September 19. The Senate has not moved, or attempted to move, any budget or appropriations measures until broader debt-ceiling negotiations conclude.

Meanwhile, deficit-reduction talks continue with a group led by Vice President Biden in advance of an August 2 deadline to raise the national debt ceiling. Likely to be included in any deal would be a topline agreement on FY 2012 spending, and possible spending caps for years thereafter. Republican and Democratic leaders have recently expressed hope that an agreement will be reached in early July.

House Markup on Bill to Repeal State Authorization Regulations

June 14, 2011 - Tomorrow, the House Education & Workforce Committee will mark up H.R. 2117, a bill that would repeal the U.S. Department of Education’s recent regulations on the definition of a credit hour and state authorization programs. ACCT signed on to a letter in support of H.R. 2117 and continues to have concerns about the state authorization regulations, particularly as it relates to distance education programs. The regulations are currently scheduled to go into effect on July 1.

You can view a live webcast of the markup beginning at 10AM EST tomorrow, Wednesday 6/15 at: http://edworkforce.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=245799

Additionally, as a reminder, ACCT and AACC are launching a major advocacy campaign to protect Pell Grants for community college students. There are a few days left to register for the free AACC/ACCT ‘Stand Up for Pell Grants’ webinar, to be held next Tuesday, June 21, 2-3pm EST. Please join AACC and ACCT CEOs Walter Bumphus and J. Noah Brown and government relations staff next Tuesday to learn how you can help with efforts to preserve the Pell Grant maximum at $5,550. Register today!

President Obama Announces Manufacturing Initiative, Calls for WIA Reauthorization

June 8, 2011 - President Obama announced at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) today that the Administration is beginning a new public-private initiative designed to graduate more community college students in manufacturing. In a speech highlighting the importance of job training and workforce development, the President called for preparing an additional 500,000 community college students with industry-recognized manufacturing credentials. The manufacturing initiative is an expansion of the Administration’s “Skills for America’s Future” program, which helps businesses partner with community colleges to better match job training with industry demand. The Manufacturing Institute, the nonprofit arm of the National Association of Manufacturers, will lead the effort.

A key component of the initiative will be the creation of a Manufacturing Skills Certification System, available in 30 states as a for-credit program of study. It is unclear whether the Administration is requesting federal funds to support this initiative. More information is available at http://1.usa.gov/kFuSzZ

During his remarks, President Obama also called on Congress to pass a reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to authorize funds that would help the government better match job training with employers' needs. The President’s FY 2012 Department of Labor budget requested $10 billion for the program. A first draft of a WIA reauthorization in the Senate is expected sometime in the next week.

Department of Education Releases 'Gainful Employment' Regulations

June 2, 2011 - Today, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released the final regulations requiring college programs to prepare students for ‘gainful employment’ or risk losing access to federal student aid, including Pell Grants and student loans. While the focus of the regulations is primarily on degree and non-degree programs at for-profit institutions, the regulations would also cover non-degree and occupational training programs, or certificate programs, at community colleges.  In fact, according to ED, a majority of the covered ‘gainful employment’ programs occur at community colleges.  The new regulations provide for additional time for programs to comply than the previous draft regulations.

The regulations take effect on July 1, but noncompliant programs would not be ruled ineligible until 2015. Under the new regulations, a program would be considered to lead to ‘gainful employment’ if it meets at least one of the following three metrics:*

• Repayment: at least 35 percent of former students are currently repaying their loans
• Debt-to-discretionary income ratio: the estimated annual loan payment of a typical graduate does not exceed 30 percent of his or her discretionary income
• Debt-to-total earnings: the estimated annual loan payment of a typical graduate does not exceed 12 percent of his or her total earnings

*A ‘small numbers provision’ requires at least 30 completers in the evaluation pool for the debt-to-earnings measure and at least 30 borrowers entering repayment in the evaluation period for calculation of the repayment rate in order to determine whether a program satisfies the debt measures.

If a programs fails all three metrics, the penalties are outlined in three phases:

• After one failure: The institution must disclose the amount by which the program missed minimal acceptable performance and the program’s plans for improvement and establish a three‐day waiting period before students can enroll.
• After two failures within three years: The institution must tell students in the failing program that their debts may be unaffordable, the program may lose eligibility, and what transfer options exist.
• After three failures within four years: The program loses eligibility for federal student aid. Institutions cannot reestablish the program’s eligibility for at least three years.  However, they can continue to operate without student aid.

According to an ED estimate, the vast majority of community college programs would meet one of the metrics outlined above and only 1% of programs would become ineligible for federal student aid. The final regulations can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2009/ge-unofficial-06022011.pdf

Senate Fails Budget Votes, Pell Grant Action Needed

May 26, 2011 - Last night, the Senate voted on four competing fiscal year 2012 budget proposals and failed to pass each of them, as expected. The vote on the House-passed budget, written by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), was rejected by a vote of 40-57, with all Democrats and five Republicans voting against it. The ‘Obama budget’ was rejected by a vote of 0-97, with no Democrat votes, because it was not based on the President’s follow-up plan to reduce the deficit. Proposals by Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) were rejected 42-55 and 7-90, respectively.

It is becoming more likely that the House and Senate will not be able to agree on a bipartisan budget resolution for fiscal year 2012. Therefore, the House and Senate will pursue the appropriations process separately, and the likely outcome will be an omnibus appropriations measure adopted later this fall. Budget negotiations have also become increasingly linked with talks over raising the national debt ceiling and long-term deficit reduction. A group led by Vice President Biden has reportedly already agreed on up to $1 trillion in cuts in exchange for a debt ceiling increase and are negotiating additional cuts. The nation will reach its statutory borrowing capability on August 2.

As the Senate continues to consider budget and appropriations issues, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has initiated a letter to appropriators in support of maintaining the maximum Pell Grant award at $5,550. Please click here to e-mail your Senators, and ask them to co-sign Senator Boxer’s letter.

Additionally, the Department of Education released its 2009-2010 Pell Grant End-of-Year tables yesterday. The tables provide summary information on Pell Grant award recipients, including by institution type and enrollment status. Two-year public institutions had 2,851,665 Pell Grant recipients in 2009-2010, and that number is expected to be more than 3.3 million in the upcoming academic year. The tables can be accessed at: http://www2.ed.gov/finaid/prof/resources/data/pell-2009-10/pell-eoy-2009-10.html

Finally, the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics released ‘The Condition of Education 2011’ report today, which highlights important developments in the status and trends of education from early-childhood learning through graduate-level education. This year’s report provides a closer look at postsecondary education by institution level and control. For example, the number of associates degrees conferred at public institutions has increased 33% in the last ten years. Read the report in full or brief at: http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/

Please Contact your Senator to Protect the Pell Grant

May 25, 2011 - As you may know, Congress is currently working on the fiscal year 2012 budget, and is considering potential cuts to federal financial aid. While meaningful steps are needed to restrain federal spending, reducing financial aid and access to higher education will damage America’s long-term economic competitiveness. The U.S. Senate may vote this week on changes to the funding of the Pell Grant program that could reduce maximum award by nearly 45%!
 
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has sponsored a letter to fellow Senators requesting that they support maintaining the $5,550 maximum Pell Grant award in the fiscal year 2012 budget. Maintaining the maximum award will help ensure that low-and-middle-income community college students receive the critical financial aid they need to access and succeed in college.

Click here to contact your Senator today and ask them to protect the Pell Grant!

Community college students make up more than one third of all Pell Grant recipients, with approximately 3 million low and moderate-income students receiving this vital financial aid each year. Unfortunately, the budget adopted by the House in April would reduce the maximum Pell Grant award to $3,150 - a cut of $2,400 - and would prevent nearly 1.4 million students in Academic Year 2012-13 from receiving any award at all. As the Senate works to craft a budget compromise, community colleges must speak up about the critical importance of the Pell Grant to student access, college completion, and America's economic competitiveness in the 21st Century.

Please e-mail your Senator today and ask them to co-sign Senator Boxer’s letter for the Pell Grant!

U.S. Department of Education Webinar on Gainful Employment Implementation

May 18, 2011 - The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will host a live internet webinar May 25 and 26, 2011 on the implementation of the reporting and disclosure requirements of the October 29, 2010 gainful employment (GE) final regulations. The regulations require that, effective July 1, 2011, institutions provide certain disclosures about each of their gainful employment programs to ED, students, and prospective students.

The webinar will provide information on the definition of a GE Program, the requirements for and the process that will be used to meet the GE Program reporting requirements, and the regulatory requirements related to the disclosure by institutions of information about each of their GE Programs. The webinar will not include information related to the approval process for new GE Programs or the determination of the Title IV student aid eligibility of GE Programs, as proposed in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2010. ED is in the process of finalizing those regulations and, once published, will include information on those provisions in one or more subsequent webinars.

WHAT: Live Internet Webinar—Implementation of the Reporting and Disclosure Requirements of the October 29, 2010, Final Regulations Related to Gainful Employment Program

WHEN: Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at 1:30 - 3:00 P.M. (ET)
Thursday, May 26, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. (ET).

REGISTER: http://ow.ly/4XrZq

U.S. Department of Education Releases Funding Table, Debt Limit Reached

May 17, 2011 - Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released the budget table for FY 2011 that sets final program funding levels through September 30 under the FY 2011 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act. Overall, compared to the final FY 2010 discretionary non-Pell total, ED was cut by $1.251 billion (-2.7%).  Because the final FY 2011 CR provided an additional $5.461 billion to close the Pell shortfall, the net change to ED discretionary funding compared to FY 2010 is an increase of $4.21 billion (+6.6%). Forty-seven programs received funding reductions on top of the 0.2% across-the board reductions affecting all programs, and another 38 programs were eliminated altogether. Five programs, however, received an increase, as did Head Start in HHS. The budget table is available at: http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/news.html

In other news, the federal government yesterday reached the $14.3 trillion statutory limit on the national debt, or debt ceiling. The Department of Treasury has started to implement special measures to prevent a default and has set a date of August 2 when the U.S. will no longer be able to borrow funds to cover all of its obligations. Negotiations are still ongoing for long-term deficit reduction or budgeting process reforms to be attached to a debt ceiling increase, as demanded by Republican leaders. Lawmakers are increasingly considering a series of short-term, stopgap increases in the limit. One item reportedly on the table for deficit reduction is elimination of the in-school interest subsidy for graduate students. President Obama had proposed to use those savings ($8 billion over 10 years) toward maintaining the $5,550 maximum Pell Grant award. Without these savings, Congress will face additional pressure to constrain the cost of the Pell Grant program in FY 2012 and beyond.

House Proposes Deep FY 12 Cuts; Budget & Debt-Ceiling Negotiations Continue

May 13, 2011 - This week, House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) released proposed funding limits for FY 2012, known as 302(b) subcommittee allocations. These limits set the level of funding for portions of the federal budget based on the figures passed in the House budget resolution last month. The amount allocated for the Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education is $18.2 billion below FY 2011 (or 12 percent below current funding). All together, the cuts to non-security discretionary spending total $47.4 billion below current levels, while defense would receive a $17 billion increase. Given the record level of cuts already made to discretionary spending in the deal to fund the current fiscal year and the ever-increasing cost of the Pell Grant program, if enacted, these cuts would reflect very deep reductions to domestic programs in two years.

Chairman Rogers also released a schedule of committee markups for the twelve appropriations bills. The markup for the Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education is scheduled for July 26. Chairman Rogers has said that he expects the House to pass nine of the bills before the August recess period. The House will be moving these bills even though they are uncertain as to what the final spending cap for FY 2012 will be, as that will be determined through ongoing budget and deficit-reduction negotiations. Scheduled floor debate on the most controversial sections of the budget, including education, is delayed until after Labor Day. Without earmarks to help garner votes for these bills, passage may be difficult given the lowered spending levels.

The Senate Budget Committee is working toward a markup of an FY 2012 budget resolution late next week. Adjustments are being made by Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) to obtain a unified Democratic vote in committee, but any resolution is unlikely to move toward a full vote in the Senate. Top-level negotiations between House and Senate leadership and Administration officials remain the most likely avenue for reaching a deal on the FY 2012 budget, deficit reduction, and national debt ceiling. It remains unclear at this time what particular reductions will be made to education programs or student financial aid in either the FY 2012 budget or a deficit reduction package, but ACCT will continue to provide information as it becomes available.

Finally, the Department of Education has canceled their FY 2011 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Comprehensive Program competition due to the elimination of funding under the continuing resolution. This cancelation eliminates $20.3 million in grant funding announced for competition on March 22. More information is available at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/fipsecomp/applicant.html

DREAM Act Reintroduced, Job Training Hearing, Negotiated Rulemaking

May 11, 2011 - Today, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) re-introduced the DREAM Act with 32 other Senate co-sponsors. The DREAM Act would allow students to obtain permanent legal residence if they came to the U.S. as children (15 or under), have had continuous physical presence in the country for at least five years, graduated from high school or obtained a GED, and completed two years of college or military service in good standing. A video of Senator Durbin’s press conference and further information on the DREAM Act can be found at: http://1.usa.gov/iPUARJ.

Also, the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing today chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) to examine the efficiency of federal job training programs. A March 2011 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified 44 out of 47 federal job training programs that overlap with another program, and it stated that only five have conducted an impact study since 2004 to examine outcomes. The subcommittee examined state and local efforts to consolidate and improve workforce training initiatives and questioned witnesses about the potential for consolidating programs within the context of reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

Negotiations over both the FY 2012 budget and an extension of the debt limit are ongoing. The Senate Budget Committee may mark up an FY 2012 budget resolution next week. Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad’s (D-ND) resolution is likely to include some of the recommendations of the President’s fiscal commission, which would cut the deficit by $4 trillion over 10 years through a 50/50 combination of spending cuts and revenue increases by eliminating tax expenditures and letting the Bush-era tax cuts on income above $1 million expire.

White House-led talks with Congressional leaders continue to seek an agreement on a debt reduction package to move in conjunction with an increase the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt ceiling. Rather than negotiate a comprehensive agreement on taxes and entitlements, the emerging expectation is that any agreement will include some substantial spending cuts along with some form of budget controls to reduce future deficits. Battles over the larger tax reform and specific entitlement cuts may be tabled until a later date.

Finally, tomorrow the Department of Education begins another round of negotiated rulemaking to craft regulations under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Hearings will begin in Nashville, TN and also be held in Tacoma, WA; Chicago, IL; and Charleston, SC. To see a schedule of the hearings and information about public participation, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2011/hearings.html

Aspen Prize Open to 120 Community Colleges, U.S. Department of Education Symposium on Wednesday

April 25, 2011 - Today the Aspen Institute announced 120 community and technical colleges nationwide that are eligible for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Aspen will award $1 million to one community college that demonstrates success in student completion. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Dr. Jill Biden, and Under Secretary of Education Martha J. Kanter were present for the announcement. The list of 120 institutions can be found at: http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/aspen-prize/eligibleinstitutions and more information about the prize is available at http://www.AspenCCPrize.org.

On Wednesday, April 27, the U.S. Department of Education will host a live Community College Virtual Symposium to present the preliminary findings of the four regional community college summits. The symposium will address policies and practices that support bridge programs for low-skill adults, alignment of secondary and postsecondary education, improved developmental education, and college-employer partnerships that promote curricular change. Department leaders, experts, and researchers will discuss their findings and respond to questions from participants. The symposium will be webcast live from Montgomery College. Registration for the live web event is open to all interested parties and is available at http://mprinc.com/registration/index.php.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education issued additional guidance as it relates to the proposed rule on ‘state authorization’ for distance education programs.  As part of this guidance, the Department states that it “will not initiate any action to establish repayment liabilities or limit student eligibility for distance education activities undertaken before July 1, 2014, so long as the institution is making good faith efforts to identify and obtain necessary State authorizations before that date.” The ‘state authorization’ rule was promulgated last October following a negotiated rulemaking process. For additional guidance, please see the April 20, 2011 ‘Dear Colleague’ letter from the Department at:  http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN1111.html.

House Adopts FY 12 Budget

April 15, 2011 - The House adopted the FY 2012 budget resolution (H.Con.Res. 34) today as introduced by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). The measure passed by a party-line vote of 235 to 193, with all Democrats and 4 Republicans opposed. A Democratic alternative budget offered by Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) failed, 166 to 259. The ‘Ryan budget’ is unlikely to be considered or passed in the Senate, but lays out the GOP vision on spending, including a restructuring of Medicare and Medicaid and cutting $5.8 trillion in spending over the next decade.

The House budget would reduce the maximum Pell Grant award to ‘pre-stimulus levels,’ but the resolution is unclear as to a precise dollar amount. Additionally, the House budget resolution calls for the repealing and defunding of the Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act (HCERA), which includes mandatory funding for the Pell Grant program; such a move would further lower the maximum grant by $690. Other policy modifications outlined for review by the resolution include:

•    Limiting Pell Grants to 6 years (12 semesters);
•    Rescinding recent expansions to the Pell Grant need analysis formula;
•    Eliminating Pell Grant administrative fees paid to participating institutions;
•    Eliminating Pell Grant eligibility for less-than-half-time students; and
•    Eliminating interest subsidies on all Stafford Loans (undergraduate and graduate).

Also, yesterday the Senate voted 81 to 19 to pass the compromise continuing resolution (CR) funding the government through the rest of FY 2011. The measure - which combined with previous CRs cut $38.5 billion from current spending levels - had been passed earlier by the House and was quickly signed by President Obama.

Following passage of the funding measures, the House and Senate have adjourned for a two-week Easter and Passover recess. Both chambers will reconvene on Monday, May 2.

Today, the Department of Education hosted the fourth and final community college summit at San Diego Community College District. The summit focused on practices to help veterans, military members, and their families access and succeed in community colleges. Joining the summit were: Dr. Martha Kanter, Under Secretary of Education; Roberto Rodriguez, Special Assistant to President Obama for Education; and Kirsten White, Policy Director, Office of Dr. Jill Biden.

A virtual community college symposium will be held on April 27 at 2 p.m. EDT to present the findings of the four summit issue areas. The symposium is open to all interested participants, including community college leaders, students, faculty, business leaders, philanthropic organizations, and other workforce development representatives. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in question and answer sessions with each of four teams of scholars. To register, please visit: http://mprinc.com/registration

President Proposes Deficit Reduction Plan; Final Community College Summit in San Diego on Friday

April 13, 2011 - In a speech at George Washington University today, President Obama presented a ‘deficit reduction framework’ that calls for reducing deficits by $4 trillion over the next 12 years and stabilizing the debt-to-GDP ratio at 2.8%. The new proposals would reduce deficits by $3 trillion over 10 years, compared to $1.1 trillion over the same period in the President’s 2012 budget request released in February. In his speech, the President specifically objected to proposed Republican budget cuts to the Pell Grant or Head Start.

Among the deficit reduction proposals are cutting $770 billion from non-security discretionary spending by 2023, slowing the growth of and increasing efficiency in Medicare and Medicaid, implementing a comprehensive tax reform, and ending the Bush-era tax breaks for those making over $250,000 per year. A fact sheet on the plan is available at: http://1.usa.gov/ehCJ82.

On Friday, the Department of Education will host the fourth and final community college summit at San Diego Community College District. The summit will focus on innovative practices to help veterans, military members, and their families access and succeed in community colleges. A virtual symposium on community college completion will be held on April 27.

Additionally, the House is scheduled to take votes on both the compromise FY 2011 spending measure and FY 2012 budget tomorrow. The Senate is expected to adopt the FY 2011 measure quickly, but Senate Democratic leadership has not yet put forward a FY 2012 proposal.

Details of FY 11 Budget Deal Released; Congress Moves to FY 12 Budget

April 12, 2011 - Details of Friday’s budget deal to keep the government funded through the rest of FY 2011 were made public late last night. Overall, the deal cuts spending by $38.5 billion for the remainder of the fiscal year, through September 30. Domestic non-security programs are cut by approximately $42 billion (including $17.8 billion from mandatory changes), while the Department of Defense receives a $4 billion increase. Additionally, a number of program eliminations or consolidations in the Presidents FY 2012 budget request have been accelerated. All agencies and programs received a 0.2% across-the-board cut, saving $1 billion in total. Twenty-seven programs between the Departments of Education and Labor are eliminated. The Pell Grant maximum award is maintained at $5,550 for the upcoming academic year 2011-2012, but ‘summer Pell’ is eliminated. The deal cuts the following programs:

Department of Education:
•    Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) = -$63.9 million (eliminated)
•    Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG) = -$20 million
•    FIPSE earmarks = -$101.5 million
•    Adult Education = -$31 million
•    TRIO = -$25 million
•    GEAR UP = -$20 million

Department of Labor:
•    Green Jobs Innovation Fund = -$40 million (eliminated)
•    Career Pathways Innovation Fund = -$125 million (rescinded - halting the current grant competition)
•    Dislocated Worker Assistance = -$125 million

The ‘gainful employment’ rider in H.R. 1 that would have prevented funds from being used to implement the proposed rule was dropped. The House plans to take up the funding measure on Thursday as the current short-term ‘bridge’ expires at midnight on Thursday. The Senate is expected to act soon after the House vote; a filibuster is not expected.

Also, the House Budget Committee has filed its committee report on the FY 2012 budget proposal as introduced by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI).  It provides more detail on the committee's policy ‘assumptions,’ which would need to be adopted by authorizing committees.

The House Budget Committee’s assumptions regarding Pell Grants are as follows:
•    Limit Pell grants to 6 years (12 semesters)
•    Eliminate College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (CCRA) provisions, such as the expansions of the level at which a student qualifies for an automatic zero ‘Expected Family Contribution’ (EFC) and the income protection allowance
•    Eliminate administrative fees paid to participating institutions
•    Consider a maximum income cap
•    Eliminate eligibility for less-than-half-time students
•    Terminate eligibility for those who currently receive the minimum award.
•    Lower the maximum award (to pre-ARRA levels, or $4,731)

The House Budget Committee also assumes elimination of all of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), including the following:
•    Repeal the expansion of the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) program
•    Repeal the College Access Challenge Grants
•    Make discretionary payments to non-profit servicers, rather than mandatory payments.
•    Make funding for the TAA Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) Program discretionary, rather than mandatory funding as provided by SAFRA for FY 2011-14.

The proposal also recommends the elimination of in-school interest subsidies for both undergraduate AND graduate student loans. The House is scheduled to take up the FY 2012 budget late this week with votes possible on Thursday and Friday.

Finally, President Obama is scheduled to unveil his Administration’s plan for long-term deficit reduction tomorrow at a speech at George Washington University. He is expected to support some of the Simpson-Bowles Fiscal Commission recommendations and the expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts for those making over $250,000 per year in 2012. Republican leaders have insisted that any vote to increase the debt limit this spring must be paired with long-term deficit reduction.

Spending Deal Reached

April 8, 2011 - Congressional and Administration officials have brokered a last-minute deal on FY 2011 spending and will attempt to avert a government shutdown. Funding expires at midnight tonight, and House and Senate leaders are attempting to pass a several-day stopgap measure combined with several billion dollars in cuts to provide time to adopt the full compromise. The deal reportedly contains approximately $39 billion in spending reductions but is apparently absent the most controversial policy riders. It is unclear at this time what the specific content of the included cuts or other policy riders in the deal may be, but ACCT will provide more information as it becomes available.

Still No Deal in Budget Showdown; House Passes One-Week Measure

April 7, 2011 - House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) were again unable to reach a deal on FY 2011 spending at a White House meeting today. Negotiations are ongoing, with another sit-down with President Obama scheduled for 7 p.m. this evening. In addition to topline spending levels, significant disagreements over policy riders remain - most significantly, prohibiting federal funding for Planned Parenthood and the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases. Funding for the government runs out at midnight Friday, and federal agencies and congressional offices have issued guidance to staff in preparation for a shutdown.

Meanwhile, House Republicans passed legislation today that would fund the federal government for another week and also fund the Department of Defense through the rest of the fiscal year. The continuing resolution passed the House 247-181. Senate Majority Leader Reid has indicated that the Senate will not consider this continuing resolution, and the White House has threatened to veto the measure. Passage of the bill was intended to provide political pressure on Senate Democrats, who have not adopted any stopgap legislation beyond April 8. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) also announced today that the House would stay in session through the weekend if no funding deal is reached.

Additionally, last night the House Budget Committee marked up and reported the FY 2012 budget resolution as prepared by Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). All 22 Republicans voted for the measure, and all 16 Democrats against. The budget resolution should be on the House floor next week. Majority staff indicated that the budget resolution:
•    Assumes repeal of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA)
•    Assumes $38 billion in mandatory Pell savings, that would be used to reduce the deficit
•    Restores the Pell Grant maximum to $5,000 from H.R. 1 level of $4,705

No Progress in Budget Talks to Avert Shutdown

April 6, 2011 - With funding for the federal government scheduled to expire at midnight Friday, top Congressional and Administration negotiators have not been able to reach a deal on spending for the remainder of FY 2011. Chances of a government shutdown are becoming very likely. The Office of Personnel Management issued guidance today for federal workers and agencies in preparation for a shutdown.

While a deal could still be reached before the deadline, enacting a full compromise measure is highly unlikely given Senate procedures, public-notice rules, and floor debate time. Another short-term continuing resolution could be passed to extend federal funding for a few days, but President Obama has stated that this approach is only acceptable if a longer-term deal has already been reached. Additionally, House Republicans announced today that they are preparing to vote Thursday on a bill extending federal funding for one week while cutting $12 billion in spending while also funding the Department of Defense for the remainder of FY 2011. However, Senate Democrats and the White House have rejected this measure.

Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has reportedly proposed $40 billion in cuts from current spending, which amounts to approximately $7 billion more than what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and President Barack Obama have agreed to. Negotiators also continue to debate the inclusion of policy riders, such as the delay of healthcare reform implementation or the EPA’s regulation of carbon emissions.

No Deal on FY 11 from White House Meeting, Shutdown Looms

April 5, 2011 - President Obama, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) convened at the White House today to attempt to forge a deal over FY 2011 spending but failed to reach any agreement. It remains unclear if negotiations are ongoing or if enough time remains to avert a government shutdown upon the expiration of the current spending measure at midnight on Friday. Several days of legislative action are needed in order to adopt any spending deal, so chances of a shutdown have increased dramatically.

House, Senate, and Administration officials have been unable to reach an agreement on a topline spending level for the remainder of FY 2011, and they also continue to disagree on the inclusion of policy riders or cuts to mandatory spending. Reportedly under discussion for a potential deal is an acceleration of the elimination of year-round Pell Grants, saving approximately $500 million. The Administration had proposed this change to Pell as part of its FY 2012 budget request.

Late last night, House Republicans released another short-term continuing resolution that would fund the government for one week after Friday’s deadline while cutting $12 billion over those seven days. The bill is aimed at buying more time for stalled negotiations on a long-term plan, but it would fully fund the Defense Department through September. The White House has reportedly rejected this approach, and House leaders have not decided when to take a vote on the bill. If adopted, this one-week CR would make cuts to Career, Technical and Adult Education ($30.9 million) and Higher Education Grants ($23.2 million). Overall, the Department of Education would receive a cut of $391 million, but student financial aid would be left untouched.

In the event of a government shutdown, the April 15 Department of Education community college summit at San Diego Community College District will likely be cancelled.

Also today, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) unveiled a FY 2012 budget. Over ten years, the plan would cut outlays by $5.8 trillion below the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline and revenues by $4.2 trillion, thus reducing the deficit over ten years by just $1.65 trillion. The budget plan assumes a return to FY 2008 discretionary spending levels or lower, a renewal of the Bush-era tax cuts for all income brackets, major changes to Medicare and Medicaid, top tax rate cuts for both individuals and corporations to 25 percent from 35 percent, a reduction in the federal work force by 10% over three years, and a five-year federal worker pay freeze. The Pell Grant maximum award would be reduced to the FY 2008 level of $4,731. More information is available at http://budget.house.gov/fy2012budget/

Spending Negotiations Hit Roadblock; Shutdown Looms

April 4, 2011 - Negotiations over spending for the remainder of FY 2011 (through September 30) hit a roadblock today, and President Obama has summoned congressional leaders to the White House tomorrow to try to forge a last-minute deal to avert a federal government shutdown. The current continuing resolution funding the government expires at midnight Friday, and several days of legislative action would be needed to adopt any proposed deal.

House Republicans, Senate Democrats, and the White House had been negotiating a deal that would cut $33 billion from current spending levels, including $10 billion in cuts already adopted from the last two continuing resolutions. However, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) indicated today that $33 billion would not be sufficient, and media reports have indicated that he is looking for approximately $10 billion in more cuts. The House-passed H.R. 1 would cut $61 billion from current levels, which remains the position of many Tea Party members. Also at issue are controversial policy riders demanded by many House Republicans and a White House proposal to forestall deeper appropriations cuts by substituting up to $8 billion in savings from mandatory spending programs. The White House has reportedly proposed accelerating some cuts to the Pell Grant program as proposed in the President’s FY 2012 budget, but which provisions that may include remains unclear.

In addition to the White House meeting tomorrow, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) will unveil a fiscal 2012 budget plan that would cut at least $4 trillion from the deficit over the next 10 years and make deep cuts to entitlement programs. Some members in Congress hope the focus on this budget plan will provide greater flexibility in adopting a deal on spending for the current fiscal year by attracting attention away from immediate spending cuts.

Budget Negotiations Continue over FY 11

March 30, 2011 - House, Senate, and Administration negotiations over spending for the remainder of FY 2011 (through September 30) continue on Capitol Hill, despite conflicting media reports about various offers being made by congressional and Administration leaders. The latest continuing resolution expires on April 8; if a new funding measure is not in place by then, the federal government will shut down. President Obama and congressional leaders have all stated their opposition to another short-term extension of funding, preferring to finish work on the current fiscal year and move to the FY 2012 budget.

Media reports indicate that negotiations may have resumed last night on the FY 2011 measure after falling apart late last week. Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) appears to lack the votes to pass a compromise spending measure in the House that can also pass the Senate, thereby increasing pressure for a compromise with Democrats in both chambers. Some Tea Party members continue to advocate for H.R. 1 as the only acceptable spending baseline, and a Tea Party rally is planned for Thursday to pressure Congress to adopt deeper spending cuts.

Senate Democrats reportedly offered an additional $20 billion in cuts last week (capping spending at $1.058 trillion) that would equal a $31 billion cut from current spending levels and would approximate the level of cuts first offered by House Republicans. Also in play for a compromise measure are the policy riders contained in H.R. 1, including a prohibition on implementation of the Department of Education’s gainful employment regulations.


White House Releases College Completion Tool Kit

March 22, 2011 - Today, Vice President Joe Biden announced the release of a ‘college completion tool kit’ intended to give governors no-or-low-cost ways to boost college completion rates in their respective states. At the ‘Building a Grad Nation Summit’ in Washington, DC, the Vice President linked the new tool kit with the Administration’s goal of getting the United States to lead the world in its proportion of college graduates by 2020. Included in the tool kit are seven strategies that address the articulation of state-specific goals, alignment of standards and transfer processes, application for performance-based funding, use of data, and more. The Department of Education has posted the full tool kit at: http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/cc-toolkit.pdf (PDF)

Senate Passes Three-Week CR, Averts Government Shutdown

March 17, 2011 — Today, the Senate voted to pass H.J. Res. 48, the temporary three-week continuing resolution (CR) for FY 2011, by a vote of 87 to 13. This follows last week’s House vote of 271 to 158, and the bill now heads to President Obama for his signature. The President is expected to sign the bill in order to avoid a government shutdown. The CR funds the federal government until April 8 and reduces total government funding by $6 billion. The bill does not reduce funding for education, but it does cut funding for the Department of Labor’s Career Pathways and Innovation Grant program.

Media reports have indicated that White House negotiations for a six-month CR for the remainder of FY 2011 continue most closely with House Republican leadership. Congressional leaders believe they need a deal by the end of March to give both chambers time to move the six-month bill. It is unclear to what spending level the Administration, House, and Senate will agree, but the final measure for FY 2011 is expected to contain broad spending cuts.

Yesterday, Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis testified on the Department of Labor’s FY 2012 budget request before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Secretary Solis noted “tough choices” proposed by the Administration, including eliminating the $125 million Career Pathways Innovation Fund that the Secretary said was duplicative of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Program. She also noted the proposal to shift some Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding toward competitive grants over formula funding, to be known as the Workforce Innovation Fund, and a request of $60 million for the Green Jobs Innovation Fund ($20 million more than FY 2010). As previously noted, the WIA Title I Adult Program is level funded. The total request for the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration is $911.9 million less than the FY 2010 enacted level. Secretary Solis’ full testimony is available at: http://appropriations.house.gov/_files/031611SOLISDOLFY12BudgetRequest.pdf


House Passes Three Week Continuing Resolution

March 15, 2011 — Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass H.J. Res. 48, the continuing resolution for FY 2011 by a vote of 271 to 158.  The bill reduces total government funding by $6 billion, which follows the House plan to cut $2 billion for each week left in the fiscal year.  The bill does not reduce funding for education, but it does cut funding for the Department of Labor’s Career Pathways and Innovation Grant program.  In a correction to the previous LAW E-Alert, the Career Pathways program will not be rescinded in this bill.  There will continue to be concerns about the funds being rescinded until the funds are actually disseminated to colleges.

The Senate is expected to consider and pass the continuing resolution.  Additionally, President Obama is expected to sign the bill, but he has stated that he wants Congress to pass a long-term continuing resolution.  Without a continuing resolution, Congress would face a government shutdown.  If passed and signed into law, the continuing resolution would fund the federal government to April 8th. 

Also today, Department of Education Under Secretary Dr. Martha Kanter testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education on the Pell Grant program.  Dr. Kanter stated that the number of students receiving Pell grants continues to grow, with estimates showing that 9.4 million students will receive Pell grants in the 2011-12 academic year, a 52% increase from the 2008-09 academic year.  She also noted that the Administration, while supportive of the year-round Pell Grant program, had to make a difficult decision to support the elimination of this provision in order to maintain the Pell Grant award maximum at $5,550.  The Administration has outlined additional measures to fund the shortfalls within the program.  If Congress cuts the program and the Pell Grant funding changes are not met, the Pell Grant maximum could suffer a major reduction.  The funding within the SAFRA legislation passed last year is contingent on Congress funding the discretionary Pell Grant award maximum at $4,860 in 2014.  If the funding is lower, the Pell Grant program would lose its increases outlined within SAFRA.

Dr. Kanter’s testimony can be found at:  http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/testimony-pell-grant-program-under-secretary-martha-kanter-house-appropriations-subcom.


House Introduces Short-term CR that Rescinds Funding for the Career Pathways Innovation

March 11, 2011 - House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) introduced a three-week continuing resolution to fund the federal government through April 8th.  As the current continuing resolution expires on March 18th, the government faces a shutdown without a funding resolution.  The legislation, H.J. Res 48, would cut $6 billion in spending.  While no education programs were cut, the legislation terminates the Career Pathways Innovation Fund and its $125 million allocation from FY2010.  If passed, the termination of the Career Pathways Innovation Fund will likely force the Department of Labor to stop the current grant competition.    

The House is expected to consider the legislation next week.  It is unclear whether the Senate will accept these additional cuts, but there is an expectation that Congress will need to pass a continuing resolution before a long-term funding resolution can finally be negotiated. 

The summary of the legislation can be viewed at:  http://appropriations.house.gov/index.cfm?useAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=273.

The full legislation can be viewed at:  http://rules.house.gov/Media/file/PDF_112_1/Floor_Text/hjres48_xml.pdf.


Sec. Duncan Testifies on FY 2012 Budget Request

March 10, 2011 - Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testified today on the Department of Education’s FY 2012 budget request before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Secretary Duncan received bipartisan questioning on Department proposals, such as eliminating the “summer” or “year-round” Pell Grant, consolidating and eliminating programs, creating new competitive grant programs, and establishing the proposed “gainful employment” rule. Secretary Duncan noted that the proposed cuts in the House-passed continuing resolution, H.R. 1, would reduce the Pell Grant maximum award by $845, which would remove 10,000 students from the program and reduce awards levels for more than 8 million students. Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) noted that the H.R. 1 cut to the Pell Grant maximum award would reduce the percentage of college costs covered by Pell Grants to the lowest level in 38 years. Secretary Duncan urged Committee members to maintain investments in student financial aid.

Secretary Duncan also noted that the Department’s proposed elimination of year-round Pell (summer Pell) in the Department’s FY 2012 request would affect 900,000 students, but he defended the proposal by highlighting the expected $20 billion shortfall in Pell Grant funding for academic year 2012-2013. Overall, the Administration’s requested changes to the Pell Grant program are projected to save $100 billion over ten years and would be used to pay for maintaining the Pell Grant maximum award at $5,550.


Senate Fails to Advance FY 2011 Spending Measures; 2nd Comm. College Summit Convenes

March 9, 2011 - The Senate voted on two competing measures today to fund the federal government for the remainder of FY 2011 (through September 30), and both failed to garner the 60 votes necessary to advance the legislation. The House-passed continuing resolution (CR), H.R. 1, which would cut $66 billion from current spending levels, failed in the Senate by a vote of 44 to 56, with all Democrats and three Republicans opposed. The Senate Democratic alternative CR, which would cut $8.7 billion from current levels, failed by a vote of 42 to 58, with all Republicans and ten Democrats opposed. The Senate Democratic alternative would have maintained the $5,550 Pell Grant maximum for the upcoming academic year, but it also would have rescinded the $125 million in funding for the Career Pathways Innovation Fund (CPIF) and the $561 million in funding for the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG).

Senate leaders did not expect either measure to pass; they intend to use the votes to create pressure for a bipartisan compromise. It remains unclear at what funding level the House and Senate will come to an agreement. The current bill funding government operations ends on March 18th. It is unlikely that a compromise will be reached and passed by that time, so another short-term funding measure will need to be enacted to prevent a government shutdown.

In other news today, the U.S. Department of Education kicked off the second in a series of four regional community college summits. Held at Lone Star College System in Houston, TX, today’s summit focuses on “Successful Transfer Programs.” More information is available at: http://www.ed.gov/blog/2011/03/community-college-regional-summit-in-houston/.

Also, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testified before the House Education & Workforce Committee today on the Department of Education’s budget and policy proposals. Sec. Duncan discussed the reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and stressed the need to maintain investments in education, including federal student aid. Sec. Duncan also requested legislation to enact the Presidents FY 2012 proposals for the Pell Grant, including the elimination of “summer Pell” and the in-school interest subsidy for graduate student loans, which would save $20 billion in FY 2012. Sec. Duncan will testify on the Department of Education’s FY 2012 budget proposal again tomorrow before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

Finally, videos of the 2011 Community College National Legislative Summit are now available at http://www.acct.org/events/legislativesummit/nls-videos.php.


Obama and Senate pass CR; CR negotiations continue

March 3, 2011 -- Yesterday, President Obama signed a two-week continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government until March 18.  This occurred after the Senate passed the bill earlier in the morning.  The CR reduces funding by $4 billion from FY10 levels, though it includes funding for the Pell Grant shortfall.

Congress continues trying to negotiate an arrangement, but pressure is growing not to pass another short-term continuing resolution.  Vice President Biden is meeting with Congressional leaders today to work on a deal to fund the government until the end of the fiscal year.  The House is on record supporting $61 billion in cuts from FY10, but it is unclear at what funding level the Senate and House will come to an agreement. 


Sec. Duncan Testifies on FY 12 ED Budget in Senate

March 1, 2011 - The Senate Budget Committee held a hearing today on President Obama’s FY 2012 proposed education budget. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testified about the importance of continued investments in federal financial aid, especially to cover the Pell Grant shortfall and protect the maximum $5,550 award level. Additionally, Secretary Duncan touted the Administration proposal for new competitive grants to increase college completion and discussed reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Committee Republican members questioned the Secretary on year-over-year increases to the Department of Education budget and their desire to restrain federal spending.

Archived video of today’s hearing and prepared remarks from Secretary Duncan can be found at: http://go.usa.gov/gJH


First Regional Comm. College Summit; DOL Announces Career Pathways Innovation Fund SGA

February 28, 2011 -- Today, the U.S. Department of Education completed the first of four regional summits to share best practices related to student completion at community colleges.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis made remarks to participants, calling on community colleges to be integral partners in economic recovery and on college leaders and stakeholders to defend federal investments in education, including the Pell Grant and the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) Program. Panelists discussed ways to improve foundation and philanthropic support for community colleges and opportunities to better align curriculum with workforce demand.

For full details from today’s summit, check out the ACCT Inside the Beltway blog: http://communitycollegebeltwaynews.blogspot.com/ 

The next three summits will be held on the following dates:

•    March 9 - Lone Star College System, Houston: "Successful Transfer Programs"

•    March 23 - Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis: "Partnerships Between Community Colleges and Employers"

•    April 15 - San Diego Community College District: "Exemplary Programs for Veterans, Military Members, and Families"

Additionally, the Department plans to host a fifth forum via the internet.

Finally, the Department of Labor announced today a solicitation for grant applications for the Career Pathways Innovation Fund. Grants amounting to $122 million will be awarded to community colleges and consortia of community colleges that are developing or expanding career pathway programs in partnership with education and training providers, employers, and the workforce investment system. At least $65 million of the total funding will go toward programs that focus on training for health care fields. The Department of Labor intends to fund approximately 40 to 50 grants ranging from $1 million to $5 million. The full solicitation for grant applications is available at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-10-06.pdf (PDF format). 
 

Dept. of Education Begins Comm. College Summit Series

February 28, 2011 -- Today, the U.S. Department of Education convened the first of four regional summits to share best practices related to student completion at community colleges.

Held at the Community College of Philadelphia, the focus of today’s event is "Transitioning Adult Learners to Community Colleges and the Workforce." Attendees include college trustees and presidents; business, industry, philanthropy, and labor representatives; state and local government officials; and community college students.

This morning, Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter welcomed and challenged participants to use best practices and strategic partnerships to help meet the President's goal of America once again having the most college graduates by 2020. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis will also make remarks.

The summit is being streamed live online, and more information is available at: http://www.ed.gov/blog/2011/02/community-college-summit-in-philadelphia/
 
ACCT will report further details from today’s summit later on the ACCT Inside the Beltway blog: http://communitycollegebeltwaynews.blogspot.com/ 

The Department of Education will host three more summits over the next two months and an additional forum online later this year. ACCT will share further information as it becomes available.


House Unveils Two-Week CR

February 25, 2011 - Today, House Republicans released the details of their two-week continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government operating after the current funding measure expires on March 4. As expected, the CR contains $4 billion in program reductions or eliminations below President Obama’s FY 2011 budget request. While the bill does maintain a projected Pell Grant maximum award of $5,550 for the upcoming academic year, the same level of funding would be required after the two-week measure expires in order to maintain the $5,550 level. A number of earmarked programs and projects with funding leftover from FY 2010 are eliminated. Additionally, the bill:

•    Eliminates the Leveraging Education Assistance Program (LEAP) for the remainder of FY 2011, saving $64 million;
•    Reduces the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) by $129 million; and
•    Cuts Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration by $49 million.

A description of the measure can be found here: http://appropriations.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=266

Senate Democrats have not yet released the details of the seven-month CR they are preparing. The Senate will reconvene on Monday, February 28 - just four days before the current CR expires.


Spending Impasse Continues; House & Senate Ready Short-Term CRs

February 25, 2011 - House Republicans plan to introduce a two-week continuing resolution (CR) soon to keep the government operating after the current funding measure expires on March 4. The bill will contain about $4 billion in spending cuts below the President’s FY 2011 budget request - a prorated amount that is equal to the cuts the House passed last week. The House is likely to begin consideration of this short-term CR on Tuesday. Senate Democrats have ruled out this approach, as it contains the same deep level of cuts to non-security discretionary programs they already opposed.

In the meantime, House, Senate, and Administration officials continue negotiations over spending for the remainder of FY 2011. Senate Democrats are working on a seven-month CR to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year. The bill would reduce spending below current levels, cutting $8.5 billion from previously-approved earmarks and $24.7 billion from the same program eliminations and reductions sought by President Obama in his FY 2012 budget proposal. The cuts would occur starting March 4 instead of the beginning of the new fiscal year (Oct 1) as proposed by the President. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) had previously announced plans to bring a clean 30-day CR to the floor that would maintain current spending levels in order to buy time towards a longer-term solution with the House, but it is unclear if such a proposal is still viable and is strongly opposed by the House. If a new funding measure of some sort is not in place by March 4, the federal government will shut down.

The Congressional Budget Office issued projections on the long term implications of the CR that was passed by the House last week. Not only would the bill slash Pell Grants in the short term—it would also reduce spending on the program by $66 billion over the next decade through the loss of mandatory add-on funds. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act conditions some spending on the Pell Grant program on the maintenance of a certain level of funding for the maximum award. Because the House-passed CR would cut the base award to $4,705 in the upcoming academic year ($845 below the current level of $5,550), the maximum Pell Grant award would then decline further to $4,025 starting in FY 2014 if the bill were to become law.

In other news, on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a solicitation for grant applications for the Green Jobs Innovation Fund. The competition will support job training in green industry sectors and occupations. DOL will award approximately $40 million to support five to eight grantees with awards ranging from $5 million to $8 million each. Eligible applicants include national and statewide organizations with local affiliates that have existing career training programs and will benefit a minimum of six communities per grant. Prospective applicants can access the solicitation for grant applications at http://www.doleta.gov/grants and the full notice at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-10-07.pdf

Finally, the U.S. Department of Education plans to hold four community college regional summits over the next two months to identify practices to increase student completion at community colleges. The summits will bring together participants from surrounding states, including representatives from community colleges, business and industry, philanthropy, labor, state and local government, and students. Each of the four summits will have a different focus, and each will be held at a community college in a different region of the country:

•    February 28 - Community College of Philadelphia: "Transitioning Adult Learners to Community Colleges and the Workforce" (This summit will be streamed live; for more information see http://www.ed.gov/blog/2011/02/community-college-summit-in-philadelphia/)
•    March 9 - Lone Star College System, Houston: "Successful Transfer Programs"
•    March 23 - Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis: "Partnerships Between Community Colleges and Employers"
•    April 15 - San Diego Community College District: "Exemplary Programs for Veterans, Military Members, and Families"


House Announces Prelim Spending Cuts; TAA Reauth Bill Dropped

February 9, 2011 - Today, House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) announced a partial list of 70 spending cuts that will be included in the upcoming continuing resolution (CR) bill scheduled to be formally unveiled tomorrow. A full list of program cuts totaling over $40 billion to non-security discretionary spending will be released when the CR is formally introduced. The CR would fund the federal government for the seven months remaining in FY 2011. Included in the preliminary cuts is $2 billion from ‘Job Training Programs.’ For a full list of cuts, see: http://bit.ly/f5hKgD

In addition to the cuts to be announced tomorrow, the House still plans to move forward with an open amendment process for the CR on the floor, allowing individual members to suggest even deeper spending cuts. The Republican Study Committee has advocated for nearly $26 billion in additional cuts to be made through amendments (to help meet the Republican campaign pledge of $100 billion in cuts). House GOP leaders hope to pass their spending bill by next Thursday, but with both chambers out the following week for the Presidents Day recess, the Senate may not take up the measure until the last week in February - just one week before the current CR expires on March 4. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and some House Republicans have already predicted that Congress will end up passing another short-term CR - which would be the fourth since the current fiscal year began on October 1, 2010.

Additionally, House leaders pulled a bill last night that would have extended the expiring the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program and made cuts to the Community College Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program. There is concern within the Republican caucus about the duplicative nature of TAA, and there was general concern about using the CCCTG program as an offset. Although the CCCTG program is funded through FY 2014, many of the TAA worker benefit provisions expire this Saturday. Media reports have indicated that further negotiations on a TAA extension are still possible later this week.


House Considers TAA Reauth, Cut to CCCTGP

February 7, 2011 - Tomorrow, the House will consider a bill to reauthorize the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program under a fast-tracked procedure known as “suspension of the rules.” The TAA program extends assistance to workers who lose their jobs as a result of foreign trade, and it is the law that governs the Community College Career Training Grant Program (CCCTGP). Most TAA programs are set to expire this Saturday, February 12.

The bill would extend authorization for the ‘TAA for Communities’ program and Sector Partnership Grants until June 30, 2011. Included in the budgetary offsets (pay-for’s) in the bill is a $238 million cut to the CCCTGP in FY 2014. Instead of receiving $500 million in FY 2014, CCCTGP would be allotted only $262 million. Despite the fact that this cut in funding would come several years down the road, the CCCTGP is a critical investment in the long-term competitiveness and innovative capacity of community colleges. Under “suspension of the rules,” the bill will require a 2/3 vote for passage. It is unclear how the Senate will proceed with the bill as written.

Finally, the House is still expected to act next week on a funding measure that makes $12.33 billion in combined cuts to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (7.3% of current funding) through the end of FY 2011. Specific programmatic cuts are not yet known but should be announced this week.

The President’s budget request will be released on Monday, February 14.


House Plans to Cut Spending by $35 Billion

February 3, 2011 - House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced plans today to cut federal government spending by $35 billion from current (FY 2010) levels for the remainder of the fiscal year. This reflects a $42.64 billion cut to non-security related discretionary spending and a $7.66 billion increase to defense, homeland security, and veterans programs. As proposed, it reflects a reduction of 9.3% below the current non-security discretionary spending levels.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rodgers (R-KY) subsequently released his subcommittee spending allocations after the release of the top-line levels. The Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education Subcommittee’s spending allocation is $157.02 billion, or $6.57 billion below 2010 levels (a 4% reduction).

Next week, the House Appropriations Committee will identify specific programmatic cuts. It is unclear how this will be accomplished, since neither a full Appropriations Committee or Subcommittee markup is expected. Additionally, the spending bill will be considered by an open amendment process on the floor that will allow individual members to offer amendments to decrease or increase spending on specific programs. Therefore, it is unclear where spending levels will be in the final House legislation; a resolution is expected on the House floor the week of February 14.

Chairman Ryan’s spending levels are less than the $100 billion cut pledged during the campaign cycle. However, the Senate and Administration are still widely expected to oppose these cuts. A new funding resolution must replace the current continuing resolution that expires on March 4. A short-term continuing resolution that largely maintains current levels may be required if the House and Senate cannot reach a final agreement on FY 2011 spending before March 4.


Senate to Abandon Earmarks for 2 Years

February 1, 2011 - Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) said Tuesday that he would not accept requests for earmarks during the next two years.  This comes after President Obama said in his State of the Union address last week that he would veto any bills with earmarks. House Republican leaders have already agreed that they will not support earmarks during the 112th Congress. Inouye reiterated that he supports members directing funding back to their states as a constitutional prerogative of Congress, and he indicated that a review of Congressionally-directed spending options may occur sometime in 2012.

The House is not in session this week, but the House Appropriations Committee is expected to begin considering a funding resolution next week after House Budget Committee Chairman Ryan (R-WI) sets new funding allocations. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) has pledged to bring this funding measure to the floor on the week of February 14, since the current continuing resolution expires on March 4. According to media reports, House Republican leaders are tentatively planning to propose an aggregate cut of around $50 billion from current funding (FY 2010) levels, but they will allow conservatives to offer amendments on the floor to increase the cuts up to $100 billion. Expected programmatic cuts are not yet known.

The President will release his budget on Monday, February 14.  


Congress Finalizes Committee Assignments

January 28, 2011 - Yesterday, Senate Democratic and Republican leaders agreed to new committee assignments, completing the 112th Congress’ committee assignments for both the House & Senate. You can find a PDF of the committee assignments here.

Additionally, the Senate reached and adopted a bipartisan compromise last night on changes to the chamber’s rules to speed up the legislative process. Although some Senators had advocated for direct limits to the use of the filibuster, lawmakers instead agreed upon less-controversial reforms to secret holds, confirmations, and the reading of amendments. Under the compromise, secret holds on legislation and nominees will be eliminated, the number of executive branch nominations subject to confirmation will be reduced by about a third, and Senators will no longer be allowed to force chamber clerks to read aloud amendments if those amendments have been posted online for at least 72 hours. Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) entered into a “gentlemen’s agreement” to reduce the frequency of filibusters of motions to begin consideration of legislation, but this part of the compromise is not backed by any official rule change.


Comm. Colleges in SOTU; House Proposes Spending Cuts

January 26, 2011 - Last night, President Obama delivered his State of the Union Address to Congress. In the speech, he emphasized five “pillars” of economic growth: innovation, education, infrastructure, government reform, and fiscal responsibility. Education was a significant part of the address. You can find a fact sheet on the State of the Union here or a transcript of the full remarks here.

On higher education, President Obama repeated his goal, set two years ago, that America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. He reiterated his commitment to community colleges, pledging to “revitalize” them to help more students obtain degrees and prepare for careers. He called on Congress to make the American Opportunity Tax Credit ($2,500 per year for four years) permanent. In a clear reference to the DREAM Act, he called for an overhaul of immigration law as it pertains to undocumented students.

President Obama also made several notable statements on the budget and appropriations. He committed to a five-year freeze on non-security discretionary spending, which would “reduce the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade.” This extends the three-year freeze he proposed last year. He also pledged to veto any bill that contains earmarks.

In the official Republican response, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) reiterated House Republicans’ commitment to cut domestic spending and reduce the size of government. He rejected the President’s call for any new investments in education or infrastructure.

Prior to the State of the Union Address, the House passed H. Res. 38, which directs Chairman Ryan to issue new budget allocations for the remainder of FY 11 which set funding for non-security discretionary spending at FY 08 levels or lower. The House approved the resolution by a vote of 256-165, with all Republicans and 17 Democrats voting for passage.  A reduction to FY 08 levels would result in a significant cut of 13.6 percent in the aggregate. If applied evenly to the U.S. Department of Education, it would result in a cut of $9.42 billion to education from the current funding level. If this were to occur, we could see a cut of over $3 billion to the Pell Grant program. This would result in a rollback in the Pell Grant maximum award level and reduce the number of students who could participate in the program.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) announced Tuesday that the House will consider the Continuing Resolution during the week of February 14.  That is the same week the President’s FY 12 budget is expected to be released.  Since the House is on recess next week, that means the House Appropriations Committee will meet during the week of February 7 to act on the proposed cuts to the current FY 11 Continuing Resolution.


DOL Announces Grant Application for Community College and Career Training Grant Program

January 20, 2011 - Today, the solicitation for grant applications for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program (TAA CCTG) was announced by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.  Applications will be accepted from both individual community colleges and eligible institutions, as well as consortia of two or more eligible institutions across a community, region, state, or industry sector. The Department of Labor intends to fund grants ranging from $2.5 million to $5 million for individual applicants and from $2.5 million to $20 million for consortium applicants. The TAA CCTG Program is authorized for $500 million for each of four years, fiscal years 2011 through 2014, to support educational and career-training programs focused on dislocated and unemployed workers.  Each state will be guaranteed a minimum of 0.5% of the total funding, or $2.5 million per state per year.

Funds are provided to expand and improve education and career training programs that can be completed in two years or less, are suited for workers who are eligible for training under the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers program, and prepare program participants for employment in high-wage, high-skill occupations.  The targeted population of this program is workers who have lost their jobs or are threatened with job loss as a result of foreign trade. The deadline for applications is April 21, 2011.

To see the official solicitation for grant applications, please visit http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-10-03.pdf


TAA Grant Application to Be Announced Thursday

January 18, 2011 - On Thursday, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will announce a solicitation for grant applications for the $2 billion Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program. In a press call, the Secretaries will announce the competitive grant application and answer questions from the media. ACCT will provide a link to the Federal Register notice when it becomes available.

The TAA CCTG Program is authorized for $500 million for each of four years, fiscal years 2011 through 2014, to support educational and career-training programs focused on dislocated and unemployed workers.  Each state will be guaranteed a minimum of 0.5% of the total funding, or $2.5 million per state per year. The Administration has emphasized the program as a key component of President Obama’s goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020 and helping to increase the number of workers who attain degrees, certificates, and other industry-recognized credentials. 

In other news, the House reconvened today for legislative business following last week’s abbreviated schedule to memorialize those lost in the Tucson shooting. Members began debate today on the bill to repeal healthcare reform, with a final vote on the repeal bill expected tomorrow afternoon.


Congress Continues to Appoint Committee Members

January 11, 2011 - Following the tragic shooting in Tuscon, Arizona last Saturday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) canceled all scheduled business in the House for the week.  House Members will assemble on Wednesday for the sole purpose of considering a resolution that would recognize Saturday’s events.  The Senate is currently not in session, but it will reconvene for legislative business on Monday, January 24th.

Last week, House Republicans and Democrats began to name their committee members and formally select committee chairpersons.  Both caucuses had planned to use this legislative week to decide on additional committee assignments, but the legislative standstill has put this on hold for now.  Below is a listing of known members for relevant committees:

Appropriations

Harold Rogers, KY, Chairman
Jerry Lewis, CA
C.W. Bill Young, FL
Frank R. Wolf, VA
Jack Kingston, GA
Rodney Frelinghuysen, NJ
Tom Latham, IA
Robert B. Aderholt, AL
Jo Ann Emerson, MO
Kay Granger, TX
Michael K. Simpson, ID
John Abney Culberson, TX
Ander Crenshaw, FL
Dennis R. Rehberg, MT
John R. Carter, TX
Rodney Alexander, LA
Ken Calvert, CA
Jo Bonner, AL
Steve LaTourette, OH
Tom Cole, OK
Steve Austria, OH
Charles Dent, PA
Mario Diaz-Balart, FL
Jeff Flake, AZ
Tom Graves, GA
Cynthia Lummis, WY
Alan Nunnelee, MS
Steve Womack, AR
Kevin Yoder, KS    

Norm Dicks, WA, Ranking Member
Marcy Kaptur, OH
Peter J. Visclosky, IN
Nita M. Lowey, NY
José E. Serrano, NY
Rosa DeLauro, CT
James P. Moran, VA
John W. Olver, MA
Ed Pastor, AZ
David E. Price, NC
Maurice D. Hinchey, NY
Lucille Roybal-Allard, CA
Sam Farr, CA
Jesse L. Jackson Jr., IL
Chaka Fattah, PA
Steven R. Rothman, NJ
Sanford D. Bishop Jr., GA
Barbara Lee, CA
Adam B. Schiff, CA
Michael M. Honda, CA
Betty McCollum, MN

Approps. Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee:
 
Dennis Rehberg, MT, Chairman
Jerry Lewis , CA
Rodney Alexander, LA
Jack Kingston, GA
Kay Granger, TX
Mike Simpson, ID
Jeff Flake, AZ
Cynthia Lummis, WY   

Rosa DeLauro, CT, Ranking Member
DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Education & Workforce

John Kline, MN, Chairman
Lou Barletta, PA
Judy Biggert, IL
Rob Bishop, UT
Larry Bucshon, IN
Scott DesJarlais, TN
Virginia Foxx, NC
Richard Hanna, NY
Joe Heck, NV
Duncan Hunter, CA
Mike Kelly, PA
Buck McKeon, CA
Kristi Noem, SD
Tom Petri, WI
Todd Platts, PA
Phil Roe, TN
Todd Rokita, IN
Glenn Thompson, PA
Tim Walberg, MI
Trey Gowdy, SC
Martha Roby, AL
Dennis Ross, FL
Joe Wilson, SC    

George Miller, CA, Chairman
DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Ways & Means

Dave Camp, MI, Chairman
Wally Herger, CA
Sam Johnson, TX
Kevin Brady, TX
Paul Ryan, WI
Devin Nunes, CA
Pat Tiberi, OH
Geoff Davis, KY
Dave Reichert, WA
Charles Boustany, LA
Dean Heller, NV
Peter Roskam, IL
Jim Gerlach, PA
Tom Price, GA
Vern Buchanan, FL
Adrian Smith, NE
Aaron Schock, IL
Chris Lee, NY
Lynn Jenkins, KS
Erik Paulsen, MN
Rick Berg, ND
Diane Black, TN    

Sander M. Levin, Michigan, Ranking Member
Xavier Becerra, CA
Shelley Berkley, NV
Earl Blumenauer, OR
Joseph Crowley, NY
Lloyd Doggett, TX
Ron Kind, WI
John B. Larson, CT
Sander M. Levin, MI
John Lewis, GA
Jim McDermott, WA
Richard E. Neal, MA
Bill Pascrell Jr., NJ
Charles B. Rangel, NY
Mike Thompson, CA

Budget

Paul Ryan, WI, Chairman
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS TO BE ANNOUNCED    

Chris Van Hollen, MD, Ranking Member
DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

ACCT will keep you informed of developments as they occur.
   

112th Congress Convenes

January 5, 2011 - Today, the House convened for the opening session of the 112th Congress.  Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) formally passed the Speaker’s gavel to Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), who served as Minority Leader in the 111th Congress.  Below is a listing of leadership positions for the new Congress:

Majority (Republican) Leadership:
•    Speaker of the House:  John Boehner (R-OH)
•    Majority Leader:  Eric Cantor (R-VA)
•    Majority Whip:  Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

Minority (Democratic) Leadership:
•    Minority Leader:  Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
•    Minority Whip:  Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
•    Assistant Minority Leader:  Jim Clyburn (D-SC)

The following Committee leadership also took effect:
•    Budget:  Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI),  Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
•    Appropriations:  Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY),  Ranking Member Norm Dicks (D-WA)
•    Ways and Means:  Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI),  Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI)
•    Education and Workforce:  Chairman John Kline (R-MN),  Ranking Member George Miller (D-CA)

The House also passed a resolution adopting rules for the 112th Congress. The new rules give House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) additional authority in budget allocations; the chairman is now allowed to set spending levels for the remainder of FY 2011 until a budget resolution is officially enacted. The previous “pay-as-you-go” rules that required Congress to offset cuts for all new programs and tax initiatives were replaced with “cut-as-you-go” rules for spending programs.  This means that tax-cutting measures can be enacted without accounting for their impact on the federal deficit, and new mandatory spending programs cannot be paid for by increasing taxes.    

According to press accounts, Republican leaders have indicated that they will not be able to make the full $100 billion in domestic spending cuts they pledged during the campaign. Aides concede that current aims are in the realm of $50-60 billion in cuts for FY 2011.

The Senate convened today and the following leadership carries over from the previous year:
•    Majority Leader:  Harry Reid (D-NV)
•    Assistant Majority Leader (Democratic Whip):  Dick Durbin (D-IL)
•    Minority Leader:  Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
•    Assistant Minority Leader (Republican Whip):  John Kyl (R-AZ)

The Senate is considering changes to rules governing the filibuster. There is a proposal that would require senators who object to a “motion to proceed” on a bill to remain on the floor in order to maintain the filibuster. The Democratic and Republican Caucuses are negotiating possible rule changes, but it is unclear if they will arrive at an agreement prior to the Senate reconvening later this month.


DREAM Act; Congress Works to Finalize Funding Endgame

December 21, 2010 - This weekend, the Senate tried to get cloture again on the House passed DREAM Act, but it failed to attain the 60 votes necessary.  While DREAM Act supporters were able to get 55 votes for the bill, without a significant change in votes, there will be no further consideration of the DREAM Act this year.   

With the federal government facing a shutdown due to the unfinished appropriations bills, the House and Senate passed a three-day continuing resolution that will end tonight.  Meanwhile, the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and other congressional leaders have been negotiating a bill to fund the federal government through the near future.  It now appears that Congress will move to pass a continuing resolution until March 4, 2011.  This continuing resolution will provide $5.7 billion to cover the Pell Grant shortfall and will maintain the Pell Grant maximum at $5,550.  If the continuing resolution only covers a couple of months, the 112th Congress will be charged with finalizing the FY2011 appropriations bills. 


Omnibus Bill Pulled; Congress to Consider Short-Term Funding Bill

December 17, 2010 - Last night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) pulled the Omnibus Appropriations Bill from the Senate floor.  Majority Leader Reid noted that there was sufficient support for the bill earlier in the week, but over the course of the week the political discourse on the bill changed, especially in regards to earmarks.  Majority Leader Reid indicated that he will likely begin working on a short-term continuing resolution for next year with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), as the current continuing resolution expires on December 18th.  With time running out for the legislative process this year, the House and Senate will need to vote on the short-term continuing resolution within the next few days.  At present, Congress and the Administration are looking at possible solutions, including a very short-term continuing resolution to extend through a couple of days, a continuing resolution to extend through a couple of months, or a year-long continuing resolution like the version that the House passed earlier this month.  If Congress is unable to agree on a funding plan, the federal government may face a shutdown. 

In other news, the Senate has announced that it will vote on the DREAM Act on Saturday.  The Senate will consider the House-passed version of the DREAM Act.  At present, it still appears that DREAM Act lacks the 60 votes necessary to get cloture and proceed to be voted on for final passage. 

Additionally, late last night, the House passed H.R. 4853, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, by a 277-148 vote.  H.R. 4853 extends a number of tax cuts that were set to expire or had already expired, as well as unemployment benefits.  For higher education, the bill includes a two-year extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit and Sec. 127 which provides for employer-provided education assistance.  President Obama is expected to sign the bill shortly.


Senate Introduces Omnibus Appropriations Bill

December 14, 2010—Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Daniel Inouye (D-HI) introduced the Omnibus Appropriations bill, which totals $1.1 billion.  The Omnibus bill includes $5.7 billion for the Pell Grant shortfall, all appropriations bills for FY2011, and earmarks.  Chair Inouye noted that he believes he has the 60 votes necessary to get cloture and pass the bill.   If the Senate passes the Omnibus bill, the House is expected to move and pass the bill as well.  Earlier this month, the House passed a year-long continuing resolution but was looking to the Senate to finalize action on the Omnibus bill.  Congress needs to pass the Omnibus bill before December 18th, because that is when the current continuing resolution is set to expire.

The Omnibus bill can be viewed at:  http://appropriations.senate.gov/news.cfm?method=news.view&id=9ac3518e-7e19-4328-bf52-16a6c2a1d333.

The Senate is continuing to work on the tax-cut extenders bill, which incorporates the agreement between the Administration and Senate Republicans.  The Senate voted 83-15 for cloture to move to consider the bill.  When the Senate completes this action, the bill will be sent to the House for consideration.  With a full legislative calendar, the Senate is expected to be in session next week.  The Senate is also expected to vote on cloture on the House-passed DREAM Act this week.


Senate Postpones DREAM ACT Consideration

December 10, 2010 - Yesterday, the Senate tabled a motion to vote for cloture on the DREAM Act.  The DREAM Act would provide a legal pathway for immigrants to pursue U.S. citizenship if they enroll in college or join the military.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) indicated that they will try to advance the DREAM Act again before the end of the year, attempting to gain the 60 votes needed for cloture.  The bill that the Senate will consider will be the House passed version of the DREAM Act.  If the bill gets cloture and passes, it will be sent to the President’s desk.  All Senate Republicans recently signed a pledge to block action on any issue until tax extenders and government funding bills have been passed. 

Meanwhile, the Senate continues to try to move the tax extenders legislation and the appropriations bills.  Majority Leader Reid introduced the tax extenders bill that had been negotiated by the Administration and Senate Republicans, but Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is waging a filibuster (he has been on the floor since this morning) in opposition to the tax extenders bill.  With Congress expected to recess next week, the Senate is tallying votes and working on the final details on how to proceed with these legislative priorities. 


House Passes Continuing Resolution, DREAM Act; Senate Expected to Consider Both Bills

December 9, 2010—Last night, the House approved H.R. 3082, a year-long continuing resolution to fund the government until the end of the current federal fiscal year (September 30, 2011), by a vote of 212-206.  Now that the House has passed the bill, it will be presented to the Senate for consideration. In past years, continuing resolutions typically have been less robust, but this continuing resolution will provide additional funds to crucial areas.  Most importantly for community colleges, the bill provides an additional $5.7 billion to deal with the Pell Grant shortfall.  Meanwhile, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) continues to work on an Omnibus Appropriations bill, and he will attempt to present the Omnibus bill as a substitute for the House continuing resolution.  If the Senate gets the 60 votes necessary Omnibus bill cloture, the bill will be sent back for the House’s consideration.  The Omnibus bill is preferable to a long-term continuing resolution, because it would include higher funding levels (and earmarks).  ACCT is also hopeful that the program changes to the Community College and Career-Training Grant Program will be included in the Omnibus bill.    

In other news, the House approved its version of the DREAM Act last night by a vote of 216-198.  The bill will move to the Senate, but the bill approved by the House is different than the one that will be considered by the Senate.  If the Senate passes its bill, the House will need to consider the Senate-passed version of the bill.  The Senate is slated to vote on cloture on S. 3992, which is the latest version of the DREAM Act authored by Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL).  S. 3992 has been amended to gather the additional support necessary to reach the 60 votes necessary for cloture.  Unlike other versions of the DREAM Act, the bill does not repeal the federal ban on in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and does not allow undocumented immigrants to receive Pell grants.  However, the bill does provide a legal pathway for immigrants to pursue citizenship, provided that they meet set criteria.  The text of S. 3992 can be found at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.3992:

Additionally, Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) attempted to move “The Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2010,” this past weekend, but the bill was not able to get cloture.  Because of this outcome, the Administration and Senate Republican leaders later agreed on a tax extenders bill.  The major provisions of the tax measure would include the income tax cuts that were passed during the previous Administration.  For higher education, the bill includes a two-year extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit.  The Senate is working to finalize the whole package, but the measure may face a filibuster, which would delay consideration and final passage. 

While most Congressional leaders were determined weeks ago, the House Republican Steering Committee met this week and recommended Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY) to be the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Rep. John Kline (R-MN) to be the Chair of the House Education and Labor Committee. The House Republican conference supported the recommendations.  Incoming House Majority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) released the upcoming House calendar for 2011.  The schedule can be accessed at: http://republicanwhip.house.gov/Calendar/.


Congress Passes Two Week Stop Gap Funding Bill:  DREAM Act Vote on the Horizon

December 1, 2010—Today, the House of Representatives by a vote of 239-178 passed a two week Continuing Resolution to fund the government until December 18.  The Senate will now consider the legislation.  For the past month, Congressional leaders and the Administration have been working to resolve the FY11 appropriations bills. The current continuing resolution would have expired on December 3rd.   The discussions are now centered on a short-term or long-term continuing resolution or an Omnibus Appropriations bill.  Appropriations leaders are supporting an effort to finalize an Omnibus Appropriations bill because the funding totals will be higher and the bill will include congressional earmarks.  Either way, leaders are working on crafting a bill that will be funded at a substantially lower level than that of the President's budget request.  Furthermore, the $5.7 billion Pell Grant shortfall continues to be an issue that will likely need to be addressed next year.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has announced that there may be a vote to consider the DREAM Act as a stand-alone bill this week.  While the bill has majority support, it still appears that the bill lacks the 60 votes necessary to proceed.  ACCT is a member of the Act on the DREAM coalition and supports the passage of the bill. 

Also today, the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform was tasked to address our nation's fiscal challenges released its report, the Moment of Truth. The Commission was charged with identifying policies to improve the fiscal situation in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run.  Of note, the report stated that increased funding should be focused on “high-priority investments America will need to remain competitive, such as increasing college graduation rates.”

The report can be viewed at: http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/news/moment-truth-report-national-commission-fiscal-responsibility-and-reform.


Lame Duck Congress Returns for Leadership Elections

November 18, 2010 — The lame duck Congress returned to Capitol Hill this week to elect leaders for the upcoming 112th Congress.  The House Republican Caucus elected Rep. Boehner (R-OH) as Speaker-designate, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) as selected Majority Leader, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)  as Majority Whip.  The House Democratic Caucus elected Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as Minority Leader, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) as Minority Whip, and Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) as Assistant Minority Leader (a new position).  The new leadership will take office in January. 

 Meanwhile, in the Senate, the leadership positions will remain the same.  Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) will remain as Majority Leader and will be joined by Majority Whip Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL).  Republicans elected Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as Minority Leader and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) as Minority Whip.

With Congress returning, Congressional leaders have been working to resolve the FY11 appropriations bills. The current continuing resolution expires on December 3rd, but there does not seem to be a final conclusion to the funding process.  There have been discussions about a short-term or long-term continuing resolution, each of which has pros and cons.  Either way, leaders are working on crafting a bill that will be funded at a substantially lower level than that of the President's budget request.  Furthermore, the Pell Grant shortfall continues to be an issue that will likely need to be addressed next year.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced earlier this week that he will bring the DREAM Act as a stand-alone bill.  While the bill has majority support, it still appears that the bill lacks the 60 votes necessary to proceed.

Don't miss your opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and their staff during the 2011 Community College National Legislative Summit this February 13-16 in Washington, D.C.  And be sure to register for the pre-Summit Advocacy Academy on February 13.  This new academy is tailored to the needs of federal advocacy for community colleges.  For more information and to register, go to www.acct.org/events/legislativesummit/.


Lame Duck Congress Returns Next Week

November 9, 2010 — Congress is expected to return to session next week to proceed with a series of bills, including all of the appropriations bills and the extension of tax cuts.  The federal government is under a continuing resolution that will fund the government until December 3rd.  It is unclear whether Congress will address the appropriations bills before the end of the 111th Congress or carry on a continuing resolution into 2011.  While both parties strongly desire to address the bills this year, there will need to be a quick solution in order to finalize the bills.  One solution would be to reach an agreement on reducing some of the funding within the bills to meet bipartisan approval.  The collective thinking on the $5.7 billion Pell Grant shortfall is that Congress will not address it this year.  Next year, Congress will likely be unable to address the Pell Grant shortfall unless they put the funding into an emergency spending bill, which it has done in past.   

Outlook for the 112th Congress:

Congress will return this month to determine the Congressional leadership for the upcoming year.  The week after Thanksgiving, the Democratic and Republican caucuses will determine the committee chairs, with the committee rosters following shortly thereafter.   

Outlook for the 112th Senate:

The Senate in 2011 will have 53 Democrats (including 2 Independents who caucus with Democrats) and 47 Republicans (including one uncalled race, but the two front runners are Republicans).  Senate leadership is not expected to change, with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) retaining their posts.  Additionally, the committee chairman will largely be unaffected, as Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) will remain as Chair of the Appropriations Committee, and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) will remain as Chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.    

Outlook for the 112th House of Representatives:

On the House side, the election brought about significant change, as the Republican party gained control of the House for the 112th Congress.  The current election results are 239 Republicans and 188 Democrats, with 8 uncalled elections.  Current Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) is expected to become the Speaker of the House, and current Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) is expected to be the Majority Leader.  Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), a former trustee from Kern Community College District, announced that he will seek the Majority Whip position.  Current Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has announced that she will run for Minority Leader.  The current Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) are running against each other for the Minority Whip position. 

On the committee front, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY) have announced their candidacy for the position of Chair of the Appropriations Committee.  Rep. John Kline (R-MN) has forwarded his name to be Chair of the Education and Labor Committee.  


Department of Labor Releases FAQ on the Community College Program

October 13, 2010—The Department of Labor recently released a fact sheet and a FAQ on the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program outlining key issues for colleges interested in applying for funds.  The CCCTG program is funded at $2 billion over four years ($500 million each year) and will support efforts that provide education and training services.  The grant solicitation is expected to be released this fall.  To view the fact sheet and FAQ, visit:  http://www.doleta.gov/pdf/Factsheet_FAQs_FINAL_100610.pdf?target=http://.

Additionally, the new fall 2010 issue of ACCT’s Trustee Quarterly magazine features an informative Q&A with Department of Education Under Secretary Martha J. Kanter and Department of Labor Assistant Secretary Jane Oates, who offered insights regarding the CCCTG program.  To view the Q&A, please visit: http://www.acct.org/Martha%20J.%20Kanter%20and%20Jane%20Oates.pdf


Senate Fails to Move to Consider the Defense Authorization Bill: No Vote on the DREAM Act

September 22, 2010 — Yesterday, the Senate failed to gather the 60 votes necessary for a motion to debate the FY2011 Defense Authorization Bill.  The motion was defeated by a vote of 56-43.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) had announced that the DREAM Act would be offered as an amendment if the Senate voted to consider the bill.  It now appears that the DREAM Act will not be considered prior to the fall elections, but Majority Leader Reid announced that he will work to bring up the bill during the legislative session after the elections.  It is unclear whether the DREAM Act will be offered as an amendment to this bill if it returns for consideration.

ACCT and other higher education organizations sent a letter in support of the DREAM Act, which can be found at http://www.acct.org/advocacy/letters/.

In other news, the College Board released the report Education Pays 2010, which notes the positive role higher education has in terms of financial impact and nonfinancial benefits to individuals and society.  The College Board report can be found at: http://trends.collegeboard.org/files/Education_Pays_2010.pdf.

Additionally, the Lumina Foundation for Education released the report A Stronger Nation Through Higher Education, which notes that the  percentage of individuals in the U.S. with a degree rose by only .2% from 2007 to 2008.  The Lumina report can be found at: http://www.luminafoundation.org/publications/A_stronger_nation.pdf


Senate Finance Chairman Baucus Reintroduces Tax Extenders Bill; Date Set for White House Summit

September 16, 2010 - Today, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) reintroduced the approximately $50 billion tax extenders bill (the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act).  The purpose of the legislation is to create jobs and extend tax cuts for individuals, families, and employers, cutting taxes for families that pay college tuition, state and local taxes, and property taxes.  Most notably for community colleges, the bill limits eligibility for the program to public not-for-profit institutions. 

Provisions included in the Job Creation and Tax Cuts Act related to community colleges would:

•    Clarify that only public and non-profit educational institutions are eligible for grants;
•    Authorize the Department of Labor to spend up to five percent of program funds to administer, evaluate, and establish reporting systems for the program;
•    And give the Department of Labor more flexibility by allowing it to obligate grant funds in the year that they are appropriated as well as the subsequent fiscal year. These have no revenue effect.

ACCT supports these changes to the CCCTG program.  For more information visit http://finance.senate.gov/newsroom/chairman/release/?id=17f14745-0d33-4cac-9c0a-504e632e39b7.

In other news, the White House Summit on Community Colleges is scheduled for October 5, 2010.  For individuals who would like to submit their ideas for the Summit, visit the open dialogue section: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/white-house-summit-community-college.


White House Sets Date for Community College Summit

September 15, 2010 — Last night, the White House announced that the White House Community College Summit will be held on October 5, 2010.  The summit will be chaired by Dr. Jill Biden, the Second Lady and a professor at Northern Virginia Community College.  According to the White House, “the summit is an opportunity to bring together community colleges, business, philanthropy, federal and state policy leaders, and students to discuss how community colleges can help meet the job training and education needs of the nation’s evolving workforce, as well as the critical role these institutions play in achieving the President’s goal to lead the world with the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020. “  

More information including a video can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/communitycollege

ACCT, along with other higher education associations, submitted comments to the Department of Education on its Notice of Public Rulemaking on “gainful employment.”  ACCT supports the Department’s efforts to protect the integrity of the federal student aid system, but it is concerned about its affect on the community college sector.  Community colleges are accountable and responsive to their communities.  According to the 2008 NPSAS data, only 4.9% of community college students who participated in “gainful employment” programs took out federal loans.  The letters can be found at:   http://www.acct.org/advocacy/letters/

As Congress returns from its summer work period, Senate Majority Harry Reid (D-NV) announced that he is planning on offering the DREAM Act as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill when the bill comes up for consideration, though it is unclear whether the amendment will pass.  The DREAM Act received 52 votes in 2007, but it was not sufficient to break the filibuster.  ACCT supports the DREAM Act and is a member of the Act on the DREAM coalition.


President Signs Ed Jobs Funding Bill into Law

August 11, 2010 - Yesterday, the House returned from its August recess to pass the Senate's Education Jobs bill by a 247-161 vote.  President Obama also signed the bill yesterday.

The bill provides $10 billion in funds to keep educators working in schools around the country who would otherwise have been laid off.  The funding for education jobs is allocated solely for K-12, but states must provide assurances on funding for K-12 and higher education.  The bill also includes $16.1 billion for federal Medicaid assistance. 

To view the Department’s news release on the legislation, visit: http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/congress-passes-bill-provide-10-billion-support-160000-education-jobs-nationwide. To view a state-by-state table projecting how the $10 billion will be allocated and how many education jobs will be funded, visit: http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/edjobsfund-allocations.pdf.


Senate Passes Ed Jobs Bill

August 5, 2010 - Today, the Senate passed H.R. 1586, with the Murray-Harkin (Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA)) amendment, by a 61-38 vote.  The amendment revised the FAA bill, and the Murray-Harkin amendment now replaces the bill.  The amendment provides $10 billion for education jobs and $16.1 billion for federal Medicaid payments.  The amendment differs from the other versions, because the funding included is fully offset with rescissions.  The funding for education jobs is allocated solely for K-12, but states provide assurances on funding for K-12 and higher education.  With Senate passage, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that the House will be called into session next week, and the House will vote on H.R. 1586 on Tuesday.  A state funding allocation table can be viewed here:http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/statetables/10edjobsfund.pdf

Earlier this week, AACC and ACCT sent a letter to the Department of Education in response to the Department’s Notice for Public Rulemaking Making (NPRM).  The rulemaking process covers a number of areas (including efforts to limit fraud and abuse in for-profit institutions), and it is being utilized to ensure integrity of federal funds within the financial aid system.  Additionally, ACCT joined ACE and other higher education organizations in a broad community letter on the NPRM.  The letters can be viewed here: http://www.acct.org/advocacy/letters/.


Senate Invokes Cloture on ED Jobs, Clearing Way to Passage

August 4, 2010 - Today, the Senate invoked cloture on the Murray-Harkin (Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA)) amendment to H.R. 1586, by a 61-38 vote.  The amendment was inserted into the bill after H.R. 1586, the FAA reauthorization bill, failed to pass.  The amendment provides $10 billion for education jobs and $16.1 billion for federal Medicaid payments.  This amendment is different than the other versions, because the funding included is fully offset with rescissions.  The amendment still needs to be passed, but the cloture marked a pivotal moment.  The funding for education jobs is allocated solely for K-12, but states provide assurances on funding for K-12 and higher education.  If the Senate passes the bill, the House will need to pass it as well.  With the House of Representatives out for the summer recess period, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) just announced that the House will be called into session next week to pass the bill once the Senate completes action. 

Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed S. 3686, its version of the on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education FY2011 appropriations bill, by a party-line vote of 18-12.  The bill provides over $170 billion in discretionary funding, and $66.4 billion is allocated for the Department of Education.  The bill provides funds for a $5,550 Pell Grant maximum, but it does not contain funds to address the $5.7 billion Pell Grant shortfall.  This year, the Senate will provide over $2.7 billion more than the FY2010 allocation, but this amount is still almost $1 billion less than the Administration’s request.  The Committee did not fund the Career Pathways Program, noting the new Community College and Career Training Grant program.  Senate leadership remarked that Congress is very unlikely to consider a final appropriations bill until after the fall elections.  

The Committee released a summary of the appropriations bill, which can viewed at:  http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news.cfm?method=news.view&id=5ac52a3a-5218-48fa-aa01-9264ca755118.


Senate Fails to Pass House's Version of Supplemental Bill

July 23, 2010—Last night, the Senate attempted to pass the House amendment to the Senate supplemental appropriations bill, HR 4899, but the cloture vote failed by a vote of 46-51.  The tally fell short of the 60 votes necessary to end debate on the bill.  The Senate version of the bill will now go back to the House of Representatives, which will likely adopt it.  The Senate bill is set at almost $60 billion, and it does not include the $23 billion the House added for domestic activities, including $10 billion for education jobs and $4.95 billion for the Pell Grant shortfall.      

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee markup on Labor-HHS-ED Appropriations will be held on Tuesday, July 27.

GRANT NOTICE
Higher Education for Development (HED), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. Department of Education, is issuing a request for applications for the Broader Middle East and North Africa - U.S. Community College Entrepreneurship Proposal Development Grants Program.  Applications are due by October 18, 2010.  Please visit the HED website for more information: http://hedprogram.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2281e6517be9b28cbc99a2160&id=e80daa3d70&e=5d855166a0


House Subcommittee Moves Education Funding Bill

July 16, 2010—Yesterday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services  and Education passed its $176.4 billion FY2011 appropriations bill by a party-line vote.  The bill’s total education funding level is $1.4 billion less than the Administration’s request.  The bill increases funding for the Pell Grant program by $5.7 billion, but it is unclear whether the purpose of the increase is to  make up for the shortfall, increase the maximum amount for individual Pell Grants,  or accommodate the increasing number of students.   A number of proposed amendments were defeated, including an anti-Dream Act amendment.  The bill now heads to the full committee, but it is unclear whether the committee will consider the bill or head directly to the House floor.  In all likelihood, Congress will not finish these bills until after the fall elections.     

A table summarizing the allocation of funds can be viewed on the House Appropriations Committee website at:  http://appropriations.house.gov/images/stories/pdf/lhhse/FY2011_LHHS_Summary_Tabel-07.15.2010.pdf.  The full program funding levels will only be introduced if the bill is considered by the full committee or the House. 

The Senate leadership continues to discuss next steps for the supplemental appropriations bill.  It appears that leadership will attempt to hold a cloture vote on the bill, which will likely fail.  With the resulting action, the House will likely need to adopt the Senate’s supplemental bill.  The House passed the Senate’s bill but added $10 billion for education jobs and $4.9 billion to cover the Pell Grant shortfall.  Although the new funding is offset, it appears that there is sufficient opposition to the inclusion of these funds to block passage of the bill. 



House Passes Supplemental Appropriations Bill

July 2, 2010—Last night, the House of Representative passed an amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill, H.R. 4899, by a vote of 239-182, and one voting present.  The amendment, which was offered by House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI), includes $10 billion for education jobs and $4.95 billion for the Pell Grant shortfall.  With the passage of this new amendment, the bill will have to be sent back to the Senate for reconsideration.   In total, the House added an additional $23 billion for domestics activities over the Senate passed bill.  The Senate and House have adjourned for the July 4th recess.  The Senate is not expected to take up the bill until later this month.   

During House consideration, the White House threatened to veto the bill because $800 million in education-related rescissions were included to offset additional funding within the bill.  The White House veto threat and additional Senate action raises concerns about whether the House provisions will be passed by the Senate.  There is an expectation that the education rescissions will be removed during Senate consideration.  The House also passed a budget resolution, but this resolution only applies to the House. 

In other news, President Barack Obama called on Congress yesterday to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation.  In his speech, President Obama renewed his support for the DREAM Act.  ACCT, with the Act on the DREAM Coalition, is encouraging to Congress to start the process and pass DREAM this session of Congress.


House to Consider Supplemental Appropriations Bill

June 30, 2010—The House of Representatives is scheduled to take action on a $75 billion supplemental appropriations bill, including $10 billion for education jobs and $4.95 billion for the Pell Grant shortfall.  Previously, the House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) announced that the funding for education jobs would be $23 billion, and the funding for Pell Grant shortfall would be $5.7 billion.  Each of these provisions was reduced, reflecting growing concern about discretionary funding included within the bill.  The estimated funding of $4.95 billion for the Pell Grant shortfall leaves approximately $717 million that still needs to be addressed.  ACCT hopes that Congress will address the remainder of the shortfall during the annual appropriations process.  The House is expected to take up the bill shortly, and the Senate will need to reconsider the bill due to the alterations that have been made to it since it was passed previously in the Senate. 

The new bill can be viewed at :  http://www.rules.house.gov/bills_details.aspx?NewsID=4696

Congress has been working to wrap up activity on the tax extenders bill, but it appears that this effort has stalled.  Congressional leaders are working to craft an extenders bill that will gather enough support to break a possible filibuster in the Senate.  The previous House and Senate bills included important changes to the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program, which was funded within the reconciliation bill.
The Congressional district work period/recess for July 4th is only days away.  We do not know at this time whether Congress will move to finalize the bills given the very short window before recess.  Congress is expected to return the week of July 12th.


Congress Works to Wrap Up Tax Extenders and Appropriations Bill

June 24, 2010—This week, Congress has been working to wrap up activity on the tax extenders bill and the supplemental appropriations bill. Senate leaders have revised the extenders bill by scaling down the cost of the bill again, but it still appears that the bill lacks the necessary votes to break the filibuster.  The Senate bill includes important changes to the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program, which was funded within the reconciliation bill.

Recently, House Republican leaders announced that they would oppose any additional dollars beyond funds for war and disasters, even if the funding is offset by other funds.  This adds an additional hurdle as Congressional leaders work to finalize a bill that has been pending for a number of weeks.   Meanwhile, funding for education jobs is now down to $10 billion from $23 billion.  The funding appears to be offset, but the offset will not come from ARRA unspent funds.  The status of the Pell Grant shortfall funds is unclear, but the overall sense is that these funds may be in jeopardy due to the desire to limit funding to war and disasters. 

The Congressional district work period/recess for July 4th is rapidly approaching, and there is a strong desire to finalize action on these two bills before the recess.  It is unclear what actions will be made to advance these two important bills.

Today, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing entitled “Emerging Risk? An Overview of the Federal Investment in For-Profit Education.”  The committee will hold additional hearings to examine the for-profit sector due to the disproportionate share of federal financial aid and the rise in student loan default rates.  The committee also released a report on the for-profit sector, to view the report: http://harkin.senate.gov/documents/pdf/4c23515814dca.pdf

To view the hearing: http://help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=464686ba-5056-9502-5d95-e21a6409cc53


Congressional Action on Extenders and Supplemental Funding Unfinished

June 18, 2010—Yesterday, the Senate attempted to invoke cloture by a 56-40 vote, but did not get the 60 votes necessary to pass the Senate tax extenders bill.  The Senate leaders recently introduced a scaled-down extenders bill, but the bill still lacks the necessary votes to break the filibuster.  At present, it is unclear what the final package will look like.  The Senate bill includes important changes to the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program, which was funded within the reconciliation bill.  ACCT will monitor developments closely to ensure that the provisions remain in the final bill.  The Senate bill summary can be viewed at: http://finance.senate.gov/legislation/download/?id=c43e1c4b-c9e2-498d-bb68-ebe84ecf9003.  Modifications to the bill can be viewed at: http://finance.senate.gov/legislation/download/?id=8a96c7f7-744a-4a9e-bc4f-954831ae218f.

Meanwhile, Congress and the Administration to discuss how to move and pass the supplemental appropriations bill.  House leaders would like to add additional funding to the bill, but there is a discussion about how much the funding increase will be and for what purposes.  The Administration is looking to get a bill passed by the July 4th recess period.  The education jobs funding and the Pell Grant shortfall are part of the discussion but it is unknown whether the final bill will contain funding for these two items. 


ACCT Joins DREAM Act Coalition

June 16, 2010— Today, ACCT joined forces with 24 other organizations to create the Act on the DREAM Coalition to urge Congress and the Obama Administration to finally pass the DREAM Act.  With the short time period before the congressional elections, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that Congress will consider comprehensive immigration reform that the DREAM Act has been a part of for a number of years.  The Act on the Dream Coalition is asking Congress to consider and pass the DREAM Act as a separate piece of legislation this year.  The Senate version, S. 729, has 38 co-sponsors; the House version, H.R. 1751, has 120 co-sponsors.   ACCT encourages members and other supporters of the DREAM Act to visit the Coalition’s website at: http://actonthedream.org/.

Senate leaders were unsuccessful in proceeding to consider H.R. 4213, its version of the “tax extenders” bill.  The Senate voted 45-62 on the bill, which would have required 60 votes to move to consider the bill.  The large price tag of the bill, nearly $140 billion (of which $60 billion is offset), continues to be the major factor in halting action on the bill, even though most of the extensions have strong support.  Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) is expected to introduce a stripped-down version of H.R. 4213.  The Senate bill includes important changes to the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program, which was funded within the reconciliation bill.  ACCT will monitor developments closely to ensure that the provisions remain in the final bill.  The Senate bill summary can be viewed at: http://finance.senate.gov/legislation/download/?id=c43e1c4b-c9e2-498d-bb68-ebe84ecf9003.


Congress Continues to Work on Extenders and Supplemental

June 15, 2010— The Senate continues to work on moving and passing H.R. 4213, its version of the “tax extenders” bill.  The total cost of the bill continues to be a factor in determining which provisions will be included in the bill.   The Senate bill includes important changes to the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program, which was funded within the reconciliation bill.  The Senate is expected to begin voting on versions of the bill but is unclear whether a final bill will have the 60 votes necessary to invoke cloture.  If the Senate is unable to pass this package, Senate leaders are working to draft a scaled-down version of the bill.  The Senate bill summary can be viewed at: http://finance.senate.gov/legislation/download/?id=c43e1c4b-c9e2-498d-bb68-ebe84ecf9003. 

While the Senate works on the tax extenders bill, the House is working to finalize its version of the supplemental appropriations bill.  House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) announced that the House bill would include $23 billion for education jobs and $5.7 billion for the Pell Grant shortfall, it appears that the funding for these two areas may be in jeopardy.  The education jobs funds would not apply to public higher education.  The House Appropriations Committee was supposed to mark up the bill prior to the Memorial Day recess, but it was postponed.  As a result, it now appears that the bill will be brought to the House floor and bypass the committee.  Additionally, over this weekend, President Obama requested $50 billion to support state and local governments.  Modeled after the stabilization funds within the American Recovery and Recovery Act, these funds would support education jobs and other state assistance.  As for the Pell Grant shortfall, these funds are critical because it will be increasingly difficult for Congress to appropriate the funds for the shortfall within the regular appropriations process.  If Congress does not address the shortfall, the Pell Grant maximum could decline by over $800 per student in FY11. 

Some Congressional leaders have asked the administration to look into whether unspent portions of ARRA funds could be used to offset the funding within the supplemental appropriations bill, but the administration is resisting efforts to utilize unspent ARRA funds to do so.  In addition, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) also questioned whether using ARRA funds was the right course of action. 


House Passes Extenders Bill

May 28, 2010—Today the House passed H.R. 4213, its version of the “tax extenders” bill, by 215-204 vote.  The total cost of the bill, $115 billion, has been scaled down from the previous version.  The bill extends unemployment benefits and other tax provisions, and it contains important changes to the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program, which was funded within the reconciliation bill.  The Senate has adjourned and will not take up the extenders bill until after June 7th when Congress is back in session. 

The bill summary can be viewed at:  http://waysandmeans.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=11199. 

Last night, the Senate completed action on its supplemental appropriations bill by passing the bill by a 67-28 vote.  The Senate now waits for the House to complete action so it can conference a bill.  The House Appropriations Committee is expected to consider its bill the week after the Memorial Day recess period.  Earlier this week, House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) announced that he was going to include $23 billion for education jobs and $5.7 billion for the Pell Grant shortfall.  Unfortunately, the education jobs funds do not apply to public higher education.  The House leadership is working to gather support for the larger House version of the supplemental bill.


Senate Moves Closer to Passing Supplemental Bill; House Postpones Markup

May 27, 2010—Today, the Senate voted for cloture on the supplemental appropriations bill by a vote of 69-29.  This paves the way for the Senate to vote on final passage.  While the Senate is finishing action, the House Appropriations Committee will not mark up its bill this week.  The Committee is postponing action until after the Memorial Day recess period.  Earlier this week, House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) announced that he was going to include $23 billion for education jobs and $5.7 billion for the Pell Grant shortfall.  Unfortunately, the education jobs funds do not include public higher education.  The House leadership is working to gather support for the larger House version of the supplemental bill.   

Congressional leaders are continuing to work on a revised “tax extenders” bill, which covers a number of tax provisions that have strong bi-partisan support and have expired or are about to expire.  The latest version of the bill would cost $143 billion, of which $59 billion is offset.  Moderate Democrats are pushing to reduce the cost of the overall bill or find additional offsets.  House leaders have indicated that they will try to have a final vote on the “tax extenders” bill prior to the Memorial Day recess period. 

For community colleges, the extenders bill contains important changes to the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program funded by the reconciliation bill.  The CCCTG program is funded at $500 million for fiscal years 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.  According to the summary, the provisions included in the bill would expand the program by authorizing the grants to benefit individuals who are eligible for unemployment insurance, who are likely to be eligible for unemployment insurance (according to specific criteria), or who have exhausted their unemployment insurance.    Additionally, the provisions would: (1) clarify that only public and non-profit educational institutions are eligible for grants; (2) authorize the Department of Labor to spend up to five percent of program funds to administer, evaluate, and establish reporting systems for the program; and (3) give the Department of Labor more flexibility by allowing it to obligate grant funds in the year that they are appropriated as well as the subsequent fiscal year.  The changes outlined for the community college grant program do not have a cost and rather only affect how the program will function.  A summary of the bill can viewed at: http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/America_Jobs_Summary.pdf

House Announces Supplemental Appropriations Bill Outline

May 25, 2010—Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced that he was not going to offer his bill, S. 3206, the Keep Our Educators Working Act of 2010, as an amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations bill because S. 3206 did not have the support of 60 senators.  Chairman Harkin noted that the majority of the senators supported the bill, but without additional support the amendment would have failed.  The Senate is expected to conclude its version of the bill this week. 

Meanwhile, House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) announced today that he was going to include $23 billion for education jobs within the House Supplemental Appropriations bill.  Unfortunately, the House bill would only apply to K-12 education and exclude public higher education.  However, Chairman Obey also announced that the House bill will contain $5.7 billion to cover the Pell Grant shortfall.  While this does not account for the entire Pell Grant shortfall, it does cover most of the shortfall, which will provide flexibility for appropriators during the appropriations process.  The House Appropriations Committee is expected to consider its bill later this week. 
In other news, Congressional leaders are continuing to gather support for the “tax extenders” bill, which covers a number of tax provisions that have strong bi-partisan support, and which have expired or are about to expire.  The overall cost of the bill, $192 billion, is causing some members to question whether this bill is necessary given the current economic climate.  House leaders would like a final vote on the “tax extenders” bill prior to the Memorial Day recess period. 

For community colleges, the extenders bill contains important changes to the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program funded by the reconciliation bill.  The CCCTG program is funded at $500 million for fiscal years 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.  According to the summary, the provisions included in the bill would expand the program by authorizing the grants to benefit individuals who are eligible for unemployment insurance, who are likely to be eligible for unemployment insurance (according to specific criteria), or who have exhausted their unemployment insurance.  Additionally, the provisions would: (1) clarify that only public and non-profit educational institutions are eligible for grants; (2) authorize the Department of Labor to spend up to five percent of program funds to administer, evaluate, and establish reporting systems for the program; and (3) give the Department of Labor more flexibility by allowing it to obligate grant funds in the year that they are appropriated as well as the subsequent fiscal year.  The changes outlined for the community college grant program do not have a cost and rather only affects how the program will function. 

The summary of the bill can viewed at: http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/America_Jobs_Summary.pdf


Tax Extenders Bill Introduced; Contains Changes to Community College Grant Program

May 20, 2010—House and Senate leaders have introduced an extenders bill that contains a number of tax-specific and other provisions, including the extension of unemployment benefits that have expired or are expected to expire.  The House is expected to consider the bill tomorrow, while the Senate will take action sometime next week.  The Senate will need to finish the financial services bill prior to moving to consider the extenders bill. 

For community colleges, the extenders bill introduces important changes to the Community College and Career Training Grant (CCCTG) program funded by the reconciliation bill.  The CCCTG program is funded at $500 million for fiscal years 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.  According to the summary, the provisions included in the bill would expand the program by authorizing the grants to benefit individuals who are eligible for unemployment insurance, who are likely to be eligible for unemployment insurance (according to specific criteria), or who have exhausted their unemployment insurance.  Additionally, the provisions would: (1) clarify that only public and non-profit educational institutions are eligible for grants; (2) authorize the Department of Labor to spend up to five percent of program funds to administer, evaluate, and establish reporting systems for the program; and (3) give the Department of Labor more flexibility by allowing it to obligate grant funds in the year that they are appropriated as well as the subsequent fiscal year. 

The bill would also extend the deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses until the end of 2010 and extend the Build America Bonds program through 2012.  The summary of the bill can viewed at: http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/America_Jobs_Summary.pdf

Congress continues to work on passing a Supplemental Appropriations bill within the next couple of weeks.  Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) is working to get support for his bill, S. 3206 (the Keep Our Educators Working Act of 2010), which will be offered on the floor as an amendment to the bill.  The amendment will likely need 60 votes to pass.  Meanwhile, House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) stated that the committee would consider its version of the bill sometime next week.  At present, it is unclear whether the base funding included in the bill will contain the $23 billion for the education jobs bill.  It is very important for the education jobs bill to be included in either bill before heading to the conference committee.  



Keep Our Educators Working: Voice Support for S. 3206
 
May 14, 2010—Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its version of H.R. 4899, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for FY2010.  The bill provides $60 billion to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, disaster-relief funds, and funding for Agent Orange victims.   Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced that he will offer S. 3206, "Keep Our Educators Working Act of 2010," as an amendment to the bill during floor consideration.  S. 3206 provides $23 billion to states to support K-12 and public post-secondary education.  When Sen. Harkin offers the bill as an amendment, the amendment will have no funding offset.  This may jeopardize the passage of the amendment. 
 
Senate leadership has indicated that the bill could be brought up for consideration next week; however, it is unclear whether this will happen because the Senate is still working on completing a number of bills. 
 
While the Senate works on its emergency supplemental bill, it appears that the House will also be considering its version of the bill prior to the Memorial Day recess.  House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) has stated that he would like to include $23 billion for education jobs.  Supporters of this provision will need to be vocal in their support because this will increase the overall size of the supplemental bill and will not have an offset.  Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and the Administration sent a letter to Congress supporting the education jobs bill.  Secretary Duncan's letter can be read at: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/secletter/100513.html
 
•    To view H.R. 4899, visit: http://appropriations.senate.gov/news.cfm?method=news.view&id=2f4a2586-2f7c-4a7b-a503-fdac608af629
 
•    To view S. 3206, visit:  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.3206: 
 
It is imperative that community college leaders voice support of the inclusion of the education jobs bill into the Senate and House emergency supplemental bills.  House and Senate members can be reached via phone at (202) 224-3121 or e-mails can be sent through ACCT's Policy Center at http://www.congressweb.com/cweb2/index.cfm/siteid/acct?id=18327-23171282,18327-23171282,18327-23171282,18327-23171282,18327-23171282.  
 
Chairman Obey recently stated that the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill will be $3.5 billion less than the Administration's request.  This is a major concern because Chairman Obey will need to also find additional funds to deal with the Pell Grant shortfall, which is estimated at $5.5 billion.  Therefore, there will likely be a number of funding cuts within the bill.  It is unclear whether these funding cuts will come from the education portion of the bill or elsewhere. 


Keep Our Educators Working Act Builds Momentum

May 6, 2010—S. 3206, the “Keep Our Educators Working Act of 2010” bill introduced by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), now has 26 cosponsors.  The bill continues to gather co-sponsors, and it appears that the bill will be coming to the Senate floor soon.  Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who supports the bill, has indicated that the bill will be brought up for consideration and may come up before the Senate recesses for the Memorial Day work period.  To view the bill, visit:  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.3206:

In other Congressional news, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) has announced that he will not be running for re-election this fall.  Chairman Obey has been a longtime champion of education programs, most specifically the Pell Grant program.  In recent years, Chairman Obey has been strong proponent of increasing the Pell Grant maximum and succeeded in increasing the maximum from $4,050 in 2006-7 to $5,550 for 2010-11.  If the House remains in Democratic control, Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) will have seniority on the committee and is expected to succeed Chairman Obey. 

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing yesterday and approved the nomination of Eduardo M. Ochoa to be the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education at the Department of Education.  Currently, Ochoa is Provost and Vice President at Sonoma State University in California.  The full Senate still needs to consider the nomination. 

The Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) has started a newsletter.  To sign up for the newsletter, please email peirce.hammond@ed.gov. 



Senate Committee Passes Budget Resolution

April 23, 2010 - Yesterday, the Senate Budget Committee approved the FY11 budget resolution by a 12-10 vote.  The budget resolution provides an aggregate level for discretionary spending that is $4 billion below the President’s budget for FY11.  The administration proposed to shift $17.7 billion for Pell in FY11 from discretionary to mandatory, but the budget resolution adjusted it back to discretionary spending.  The budget also assumes that the $5.5 billion Pell shortfall will be paid off, but it does not provide funds to do so.  Therefore, in order to shore up the shortfall, other programs will need to be cut by $5.5 billion. (The budget resolution serves as a guideline for appropriators but is not binding.)  Pell Grant funding continues to be the thorniest issue and there is some concern about the how the funding situation will be addressed. 

Prior to approval of the budget resolution, the committee passed an amendment by a 16-6 vote.  The amendment requires 60 senators to vote in favor of spending more than 20 percent of savings from the reconciliation on new programs.  It appears that the budget resolution will come to the floor in a few weeks after the Senate deals with the financial reform bill.  The President does not sign the resolution. 

In other news, Keep Our Educators Working Act of 2010, the bill introduced by Senator Harkin (S. 3206), now has 20 cosponsors, the newest being Sens. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Ted Kaufman (D-DE).  Sen. Harkin is continuing to gather co-sponsors and plans to attach the bill as part of a supplemental appropriations legislation.  


Chairman Harkin Introduces Education Jobs Bill

April 14, 2010 - Today, Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced “Keep Our Educators Working Act,” which would provide $23 billion to states to support k-12 and post-secondary education positions.  The program would be distributed similarly to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund that was established in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

Also, Chairman Harkin held a hearing to discuss the administration’s education budget and the Education Jobs bill with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testifying.  Another panel of witnesses, including Mark Herzog, Chancellor of the Connecticut Community Colleges, testified before the subcommittee.  All of the witnesses voiced their strong support for the education jobs bill.  With the downturn in the economy and impending budget cliffs, these funds would stave off huge budget deficits and layoffs.  ACCT sent a letter of support of Chairman Harkin’s bill. 

The bill’s funding level mirrors the House-passed “Jobs for Main Street Act,” which was passed in December of last year.  Last month, House Education and Labor Chairman George Miller (D-CA) introduced H.R. 4812, which includes funding for states and an additional $75 billion over two years for local government to retain workers, including school employees.

The hearing can be found at:  http://appropriations.senate.gov/webcasts.cfm?method=webcasts.view&id=089d3b21-5bc6-4f18-89bf-b3fccb2b981b

ACCT’s letter of support can be found at:  http://www.acct.org/advocacy/letters/

April 14, 2010 - Today, Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced “Keep Our Educators Working Act,” which would provide $23 billion to states to support k-12 and post-secondary education positions.  The program would be distributed similarly to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund that was established in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

 

Also, Chairman Harkin held a hearing to discuss the administration’s education budget and the Education Jobs bill with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testifying.  Another panel of witnesses, including Mark Herzog, Chancellor of the Connecticut Community Colleges, testified before the subcommittee.  All of the witnesses voiced their strong support for the education jobs bill.  With the downturn in the economy and impending budget cliffs, these funds would stave off huge budget deficits and layoffs.  ACCT sent a letter of support of Chairman Harkin’s bill. 

 

The bill’s funding level mirrors the House-passed “Jobs for Main Street Act,” which was passed in December of last year.  Last month, House Education and Labor Chairman George Miller (D-CA) introduced H.R. 4812, which includes funding for states and an additional $75 billion over two years for local government to retain workers, including school employees.

 

The hearing can be found at:  http://appropriations.senate.gov/webcasts.cfm?method=webcasts.view&id=089d3b21-5bc6-4f18-89bf-b3fccb2b981b

 

ACCT’s letter of support can be found at:  http://www.acct.org/advocacy/letters/

President Signs H.R. 4872; Announces Community College Summit Led By Dr. Biden

March 30, 2010 - Today at Northern Virginia Community College’s (NOVA) Alexandria campus, President Barack Obama signed H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.  H.R. 4872 represents a significant infusion of funds for higher education, including annual Pell Grant program funding increases and new competitive career-training grants, which will be available to community colleges.  ACCT has created a summary of the education-related provisions within H.R. 4872. 

The summary can be found at: http://www.acct.org/HR4872%20Summary.pdf. 

ACCT issued a statement in response to the signing of H.R. 4872, which is available at: http://www.acct.org/2010_ACCT_Statement_HR_4872_03-29-2010.pdf.  

Dr. Jill Biden, U.S. Second Lady and professor at NOVA introduced the President.  President Obama noted during his remarks that “we need to invest…in our students.  We need to invest in our community colleges.  We need to invest in the future of this country.  We need to meet the goal I set last year and graduate more of our students than any other nation by the year 2020.” 

President Obama also said, “And because community colleges like NOVA are so essential to a competitive workforce, I’ve asked your outstanding professor, Dr. Jill Biden…to host a summit on community colleges at the White House this fall.  And we’re going to bring everybody together, from educators to students, experts to business leaders.  We are going to bring everybody together to share innovative ideas about how we can help students earn degrees and credentials, and to forge private sector partnerships so we can better prepare America’s workforce and America’s workers to succeed in the 21st century.”  ACCT will continue to provide updates on the summit as the planning for the event progresses.    

Additionally, with the signing of the bill, the White House released a fact sheet on the Community College and Career Training Grant program.  According to the fact sheet, community colleges could apply for funds to do the following:

• Work with businesses: Colleges could build partnerships with businesses and the workforce investment system to create career pathways through which workers will earn new credentials and promotions through step-by-step, worksite education programs that build essential skills. Colleges will work closely with employers to design training that is relevant to the local labor market and likely to lead to employment and careers.
• Create education partnerships: Colleges could work with other educational institutions to expand course offerings and promote the transfer of credit among colleges.
• Teach basic skills: Colleges could improve remedial and adult education programs, accelerating students’ progress and integrating developmental classes into academic and vocational classes.
• Meet students’ needs: Colleges could offer their students more than just a course catalog through comprehensive, personalized services to help them plan their careers, stay in school, and graduate.
• Develop online courses: Colleges could create open online course materials such as interactive tutors.
  

The fact sheet can be found at:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/100326-community-college-fact-sheet.pdf

President Obama’s and Dr. Biden’s remarks can be found online at:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-and-dr-jill-biden-signing-health-care-and-education-reconciliatio


Congress Passes Reconciliation Bill; Heads to President's Desk for Signature

March 26, 2010—Yesterday, Congress passed H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Bill of 2010, which contains health-care legislation fixes and the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA).  Earlier in the day, the Senate passed the bill by a 56-43 vote, after removing two provisions within the bill that were found to be in violation to the reconciliation rules.  Of the two violations, the most important one was a “hold harmless” provision related to the Pell Grant program.  The “hold harmless” provision was supposed to ensure that students would not see a drop in the Pell maximum if funding for Pell declined.  This provision would not kick in until FY2013, when the maximum is expected to increase within the bill.  Additionally, the maximum would only decrease if Appropriators significantly lowered the discretionary Pell Grant maximum base, which is $4,860.  Congressional leaders are working to reinsert the “hold harmless” language in to another bill.

After Senate passage, the House quickly passed the revised reconciliation bill by a vote of 220-207.  With House passage, President Obama is expected to sign the bill very soon.  As of today, Congress will be out of session through the next two weeks as part of the spring district work recess, which starts on Monday.    

H.R. 4872 eliminates the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program and moves all federal student loans into the Direct Loan program.  Colleges participating in the federal student loans program will need to move to the Direct Loan program by July 1, 2010.  Through the conversion to the Direct Loan program, the bill creates $61 billion in savings, which will be utilized for a number of programs and deficit reduction.  Most notably, the bill provides $13.5 billion to pay for the Pell Grant shortfall and $22.6 billion to support a Pell Grant maximum increase in an amount equal to the consumer price index since the newest projected shortfall is $19.5 billion.  The infusion of funds will ensure that a large amount of the shortfall is taken care of, but Congress will still need to find the remaining amount in the appropriations process.  Additionally, $2.55 billion would be allocated to fund Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities and tribal colleges.

From the community college perspective, the bill contains $2 billion for community colleges, the Community College and Career Training Grant Program ($500 million for each of four years, fiscal years 2011-2014), which was authorized in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The program will support educational and career-training programs focused on dislocated workers and unemployed workers.  The program will likely be a competitive program (meaning that colleges must submit an application in order to receive funding), but each state will be guaranteed .5% of the total funding, which totals $2.5 million per state.  The program will be run by the Department of Labor and is located within the finance section of the bill.

In other news, Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter and Assistant Secretary of the Employment and Training Administration Jane Oates testified yesterday before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.  During the hearing, Kanter and Oates called for Congress to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act. 

More information including the testimony on the hearing can be found here:  http://appropriations.house.gov/Subcommittees/sub_lhhse.shtml


Senate Poised to Pass Reconciliation Bill, Needs to go Back to House for Consideration

March 25, 2010—Yesterday, during the Senate debate on H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Bill of 2010, which contains health-care legislation fixes and the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), two provisions within the bill were found to be in violation to the reconciliation rules.  Of the two violations, the most important one was a “hold harmless” provision related to the Pell Grant program.  The “hold harmless” provision was supposed to ensure that students would not see a drop in the Pell maximum if funding for Pell declined.  The two violations are being removed the bill.  The Senate also defeated a number of amendments that would have changed the underlying bill.  The Senate will continue considering amendments, with a goal of final passage of the bill sometime today.  Since the Senate bill is now different than the House bill, when the Senate passes the bill, it will be sent back to the House for its consideration. 

This past weekend, the House passed the reconciliation bill by a vote of 220-211.   The House is working to schedule a vote on H.R. 4872 once the Senate completes the bill.  Congressional leaders are working to finalize and pass the legislation prior to Congress adjourning for the spring district work recess, which starts on Monday.  House leaders expect to pass the revised bill, which will then be sent to President Obama for his signature.  President Obama supports the reconciliation bill.  

H.R. 4872 eliminates the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program and moves all federal student loans into the Direct Loan program.  Colleges participating in the federal student loans program will need to move to the Direct Loan program by July 1, 2010.  Through the conversion to the Direct Loan program, the bill creates $61 billion in savings, which will be utilized for a number of programs and deficit reduction.  Most notably, the bill provides $13.5 billion to pay for the Pell Grant shortfall and $22.6 billion to support a Pell Grant maximum increase in an amount equal to the consumer price since the newest projected shortfall is $19.5 billion.  The infusion of funds will ensure that a large amount of the shortfall is taken care of, but Congress will still need to find the remaining amount in the appropriations process.  Additionally, $2.55 billion would be allocated to fund Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities and tribal colleges.

From the community college perspective, the bill contains $2 billion for community colleges, the Community College and Career Training Grant Program ($500 million for each of four years, fiscal years 2011-2014), which was authorized in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The program will support educational and career-training programs focused on dislocated workers and unemployed workers.  The program will likely be a competitive program (meaning that colleges must submit an application in order to receive funding), but each state will be guaranteed .5% of the total funding, which totals $2.5 million per state.  The program will be run by the Department of Labor and is located within the finance section of the bill.

ACCT sent a letter in support of the education-related provisions within H.R. 4872.  The letter can be read at: http://www.acct.org/Miller4872LetterSupport.pdf

A fact sheet from the House Committee on Education and Labor can be read at: http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/20100318StudentAidandFiscalResponsibilityAct.pdf


Reconciliation Bill Update

March 17, 2010—Today, Congress and the Administration continue to work on gathering support for a reconciliation bill that will contain the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) and health-care reform legislation. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is expected to release its finding on the pending legislation soon, which will provide the funding and budget outlines within the bill. This aspect is critical to gathering additional support for the bill. House leaders have indicated that they would like a vote on a final bill by the end of the weekend.

On the SAFRA front, there have been indications that the funding for the American Graduation Initiative (AGI) may not be included within the reconciliation bill. AGI funding is in jeopardy because Congress is using a new CBO score of SAFRA, resulting in $67 billion in savings ($20 billion less than the House passed SAFRA). The SAFRA savings is generated through the conversion of the Federal Family Education Loan Program into the Direct Loan Program. The score, coupled with the rise in Pell Grant-eligible students, has reduced the amount of funding available for AGI. Additionally, some Senators object to creating new bills in the reconciliation process. The SAFRA funding will be primarily focused on funding a Pell Grant maximum increase and deficit reduction.

On the Jobs bill front, the Senate passed its first installment of the Jobs Bill, a $17.6 billion jobs bill, by a vote of 68-29. The bill includes a payroll tax break for new hires, a small-business expensing provision, surface-transportation funding, and bond financing for infrastructure projects. The House passed the bill earlier; the bill will now be forwarded to President Obama for his signature. President Obama is expected to sign the bill. Congress is continuing efforts to move other pieces of Jobs legislation.

GRANT NEWS

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced the Community-Based Job Training Grant competition for this year. The closing date for the competition will be April 29th. Funded at $125 million, the awards will be distributed to “support workforce training for high-growth/high-demand industries through the national system of community, technical, and Tribal colleges.”

For more information: http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-09-07.pdf


Tell Congress to Fund the American Graduation Initiative
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED

March 15, 2010 - According to a number of sources, Congress will include SAFRA with health-care legislation in a reconciliation bill.  Inside Higher Ed this morning stated that "the odds of that happening are better than not," although "it is far from certain."
 
ACCT urges you to contact your Members of Congress NOW and encourage them to fund the American Graduation Initiative.
 
Congressional leaders and the Administration continue to deliberate on a final bill, but there are major concerns that the funding the American Graduation Initiative (AGI) will be stripped in a final bill.  AGI is the three-tiered program focused on providing around $10 billion for community college modernization and community college programs.  AGI is vital to ensuring that community colleges are able to deal with increasing enrollments and meet the goals of increasing higher education attainment.        
 
You still have time to tell your federal legislators how important the American Graduation Initiative is to your community, your students, and your college.  But you must act NOW and CALL TODAY.

Contact information for U.S. Senators can be found at: http://www.acct.org/senators_phone_list.pdf

Contact information for members of the U.S. House of Representatives can be found at: http://www.acct.org/House%20Phone%20List%201-5.pdf

Members of Congress can also be reached through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

You can also write to your Senators and Representatives via the ACCT Policy Center at http://www.congressweb.com/cweb4/index.cfm?orgcode=acct.

For more information, contact Jee Hang Lee at jhlee@acct.org or (202) 775-4450.

House Passes Senate Jobs Bill with Slight Change

March 11, 2010—Today, the House of Representatives passed the first part of the Senate Jobs bill by a 217-201 vote. Prior to passing the bill, the House Democrats changed the effective date of a provision to provide about $2 billion to cover the cost of the bill. Since the House changed the bill, the Senate will have to consider and pass the bill again. If the Senate passes the bill, it will be sent to President Obama for his signature. Meanwhile, the Senate continues to work on passing the second part of the Senate Jobs bill. The Senate is considering amendments to the bill with the goal of final passage sometime next week.

In other news, the White House has called on Congress to pass health-care reform legislation by March 18th. At this time, it appears that Congress will utilize the budget-reconciliation process to pass portions of health-care reform. This is significant because Congress had also considered using the reconciliation process to pass H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA); however, the reconciliation process can only be used once per year. SAFRA has been on hold while health-care reform legislation worked its way through Congress. SAFRA would eliminate the Federal Family Education Loan Program and all new federal student loans would be Direct Loans. Most importantly, SAFRA contains the American Graduation Initiative (AGI) which provides almost $10 billion for community colleges. There is an expectation that the Senate’s version of SAFRA will likely contain less funds for AGI because the increased funds necessary to cover the rise in the number of Pell Grant recipients. If the Senate decides to move to accommodate the March 18th timeframe, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will need to introduce and pass their version of SAFRA soon.

The first part of the Senate’s Jobs bill includes:

1) Payroll Tax Exemption: offers an exemption from social security payroll taxes for every worker hired in 2010 that has been unemployed for at least 60 days. There would also be an additional $1,000 income-tax credit for every new employee retained for 52 weeks, to be taken on the employer’s 2011 income tax return. ($13 billion)
2) Section 179 Expensing: helps small businesses grow by allowing them to write off more of their expenditures.
3) Highway Trust Fund Extension: extends existing highway programs, which provides states and localities with the certainty they need to make decisions on projects.
4) Expansion of Build America Bonds: allows state and local governments to borrow at lower costs to finance more infrastructure projects and put people to work. ($2 billion)

The second part of the Senate’s Jobs bill provides unemployment insurance and COBRA health benefits from February 28, 2010 - December 31, 2010. The total package costs $150 billion. Additionally, the bill extends a number of tax credits that have expired, including the qualified tuition deduction, research and development credit, increased funding for state Medicaid programs, and a number of credits aimed at small businesses. This bill does not include funding for an “Education Jobs Fund.”

To view the press release, go to: http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2010press/prb030110b.pdf

Senate Jobs Bill Part 2 Introduced; President Obama Visits Savannah Technical College

March 2, 2010 — Yesterday, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced the second phase of the Senate’s Job Agenda.  The introduced bill, known as the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act, would be a substitute amendment to H.R. 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009.  The bill provides unemployment insurance and COBRA health benefits from February 28, 2010 - December 31, 2010.  The total package costs $150 billion.  Additionally, the bill extends a number of tax credits that have expired, including the qualified tuition deduction, research and development credit, increased funding for state Medicaid programs, and a number of credits aimed at small businesses.  This bill does not include funding for an “Education Jobs Fund.”  

To view the press release, go to:  http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2010press/prb030110b.pdf

At present, it is unclear how the Senate will proceed with this bill.  The Senate is currently working to consider extending unemployment insurance for one month, but the Senate cannot finalize action because of a procedural objection.  Meanwhile, the House Democratic leaders are working to gather support to pass the first part of the Senate Jobs bill.  Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is trying to gather support for the Senate Jobs bill.  The House leadership expects to consider the Senate Jobs bill sometime this week. 

In other news, President Barack Obama visited Savannah Technical College in Georgia today as part his “Main Street Tour.”  The President spoke to students of the Savannah YouthBuild program, which puts at-risk youth through a combined GED/construction program, as part of his continuing effort to vocalize his support for community and technical college-based workforce training programs. During the visit, he announced a newly proposed program designed to provide incentives for homeowners to retrofit their homes in a more energy-efficient manner.  The Home Star program, which was first outlined in the president's State of the Union address, would provide rebates to homeowners of up to $3,000 for making energy efficient improvements to their houses.  Customers would be eligible for direct rebates at the point of sale, according to the White House. 

"This is a commonsense approach that will help jump start job creation while making our economy stronger," the President said.  "It's what's right to plan for our future." The President has also visited Lehigh Carbon Community College in Pennsylvania and Lorain County Community College in Ohio as part of the tour. 

Additionally, the White House is hosting a discussion on the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) with White House Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. 

For more information, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/03/02/reforming-student-loans-paving-road-opportunity


Secretary Duncan Testifies on Education Budget Request

February 25, 2010 — Today, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testified before the House Budget Committee to outline the Department’s budget for FY 2011.  The budget outlines $10.6 billion for the American Graduation Initiative.  Secretary Duncan’s testimony can be found here:  http://budget.house.gov/hearings/2010/02.25.2010_Duncan_Testimony.pdf

The Department of Education’s budget information can be found here:  http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget11/summary/edlite-section1.html

Yesterday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing on “A Stronger Workforce Investment System for a Stronger Economy.”  Most notably, Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) stated that Congress would pass the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) this year.  Dr. Robert Templin, Jr., President of Northern Virginia Community College testified on behalf of community colleges and outlined the priorities of AACC and ACCT on WIA reauthorization. 

The WIA priorities and background information can be found here:  http://www.acct.org/advocacy/priorities/

To view the hearing, click here:
http://help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=99586896-5056-9502-5d82-cabe2d595170

On the Jobs legislation front, House Congressional leaders are now working to bring the Senate Jobs legislation to the House floor for consideration. 

In other news, the White House earlier this week announced President Barack Obama’s intention to nominate Dr. Eduardo M. Ochoa as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.  Dr. Ochoa is the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Sonoma State University.  He is responsible for the University’s academic programs, strategic planning, and overall diversity initiative.


Senate Invokes Cloture on Jobs Legislation

February 23, 2010 — On Monday, the Senate invoked cloture (end debate or limit time for bill consideration) by a 62-30 vote on the Senate Jobs legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).  The Senate Jobs legislation would provide $15 billion in tax cuts, with the bulk of the funding intended to help employers hire new employees.  The Senate is now expected to consider and pass its bill sometime this week.  The legislation includes:

1)      Payroll Tax Exemption: offers an exemption from social security payroll taxes for every worker hired in 2010 who has been unemployed for at least 60 days.  There would also be an additional $1,000 income tax credit for every new employee retained for 52 weeks to be taken on the employer’s 2011 income tax return.  ($13 billion)

2)      Section 179 Expensing: helps small businesses grow by allowing them to write off more of their expenditures.

3)      Highway Trust Fund Extension: extends existing highway programs, which provides states and localities with the certainty they need to make decisions on projects.

4)      Expansion of Build America Bonds: allows state and local governments to borrow at lower costs to finance more infrastructure projects and put people to work. ($2 billion)

The Senate bill differs greatly from the House Jobs bill (see below) and it is unclear how they will proceed to conference a final bill.  Majority Leader Reid did announce that he would introduce bills to cover a wide range of provisions that were included in the House bill.   

Last year, the House of Representatives passed the “Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010” by a 217-212 vote.  The act provides $154 billion for a number of programs.   Most importantly, $23 billion will be available to states as part of an “Education Jobs Fund” over the next two years.  95% of the funds will be allocated by states to school districts and public institutions of higher education to retain or create jobs that provide educational services and to modernize, renovate, and repair public education facilities. 

The bill provides $750 million in competitive grants to train workers for jobs in high-growth fields.  The bill also provides $300 million for the Federal Work Study Program. 

The summary of the bill can be found here:  http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/Jobs_for_Main_Street_Act_of_2010_Summary.pdf.  

The bill can be found here:  http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/2010_Jobs_For_Main_Street_Bill_Text.pdf.


Senate Jobs Bill Update

February 12, 2010—Last week, the Senate Democratic leadership introduced a Jobs Bill Agenda (which can be read at http://democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=322107&) that covers a number of areas, including funds for states to shore up funding for education.

The Senate leadership indicated that the Senate will move individual bills that cover a number of areas as opposed to a single jobs bill such as the one passed by the House. Yesterday, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced the first part of a series of bills. The introduced bill would provide $15 billion in tax cuts, with the bulk of the funding intended to help employers hire new employees. With the Congressional recess approaching next week, it is unclear when the Senate will move this bill and other bills that cover parts of the Jobs Bill Agenda. The bill can be viewed at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?r111:./temp/~r111kLYGMn

Last year, the House of Representatives passed the “Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010" by a 217-212 vote. The act provides $154 billion for a number of programs. Most importantly, $23 billion will be available to states as part of an “Education Jobs Fund” over the next two years. 95% of the funds will be allocated by states to school districts and public institutions of higher education to retain or create jobs that provide educational services and to modernize, renovate, and repair public education facilities.

The bill provides $750 million in competitive grants to train workers for jobs in high-growth fields. The bill also provides $300 million for the Federal Work Study Program.

The summary of the bill can be found here: http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/Jobs_for_Main_Street_Act_of_2010_Summary.pdf.


Obama Administration Releases FY2011 Budget

February 1, 2010 — Today, President Barack Obama formally released his FY2011 Budget Request.  The budget request is a formal submission to Congress.  The President’s budget provides $49.7 billion (7.5% increase over the FY2010 budget request) for the Department of Education, but this figure does not include the Pell Grant program.  The Administration is seeking to move the Pell Grant into the mandatory side of the federal budget.  If this switch was to occur, the Pell Grant program would not be subject to the annual discretionary appropriations process.  The total budget request for Pell is $34.9 billion and would provide for a $5,710 Pell Grant maximum.  It is estimated that there is a $18 billion Pell Grant shortfall. 

The Department of Education FY2011 budget request also includes “$10.6 billion over 10 years for the President's American Graduation Initiative, to strengthen and support community colleges, focus on college completion, and graduate 5 million more students by 2020.”  The House passed version of H.R. 3221, “Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act,” provides $9.5 billion for AGI.  The AGI funding amount is expected to increase in the Senate bill, which still has not been released. 

Below are some other key other funding areas: 

Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education State Grants: $1.26 billion, an increase of $103 million (the increase comes from the consolidation of Tech-Prep)
Tech-Prep State Grants: $0, a decrease of $103 million
Strengthening Institutions:  $88.2 million, an increase of $4.2 million
Hispanic Serving Institutions: $123.3 million, an increase of $6 million
Predominantly Black Institutions: $11.3 million, an increase of $500 thousand
College Pathways and Accelerated Learning: $100 million (a new program, focused on early college initiatives and Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate)
Work-study: $980.5 million, level funding
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: $958.8 million, level funding

The Department of Education’s information can be found here:  http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget11/summary/edlite-section1.html

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor also released its budget request, which includes $14 billion for its programs.  Unfortunately, the Career Pathways program is slated to be consolidated because the Department believes that many of the programs would be eligible for funding under the American Graduation Initiative.  The Department would provide $85 million for a program focused on Green Jobs and $261 million for two new innovation funds for job training.  Additionally, language was inserted in the request for the Workforce Investment Act to allow local workforce boards to award contracts to institutions of higher education or other eligible training providers. 

The Department of Labor’s information can be found here: http://www.dol.gov/budget/

Education Proposals to be Part of the State of the Union Address

January 27, 2010—Today, President Barack Obama will be giving his first State of Union address to the Joint Session of Congress. According to the White House, President Obama is expected to push for additional education dollars for higher education and K-12. The Administration is requesting that the Department of Education’s funding level grow by 6%. The President will likely press Congress to pass the FY2010 Education Reconciliation and the American Graduation Initiative. The Administration’s formal budget request will be released on Monday, February 1.

As for the jobs bill, Senate Democratic leaders are coalescing around a proposal that would provide over $80 billion for infrastructure, energy, and state aid. The House passed its $154 billion jobs bill in December. The Senate Democratic leaders may unveil their bill as early as tomorrow.

In other news, the Center for American Progress held an event on “Community Colleges and Competitiveness: Generating Economic Opportunity Through Innovation in Postsecondary Education” this morning in Washington, D.C. The event was keynoted by Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden, a professor at Northern Virginia Community College. Assistant Secretary of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education Brenda Dann Messier also keynoted the event.

The event had a number of other speakers including Gail Mellow, President of LaGuardia Community College and Keith Bird, Chancellor Emeritus of Kentucky Community and Technical College System. More information can be found at: http://www.americanprogress.org/events/2010/01/commcoll.html. The video for the event should be available online shortly.


AGI Waits for Health Care to be Completed; NLS Speakers Announced

View the 2009 Latest Action in Washington Archive