Federal Legislative Update
May 2007

May 4, 2007
May 18, 2007
May 25, 2007

5/25/07

News from Capitol Hill...

Help Build Support for Safe, Modern Schools

America's schools are in desperate need of repair and renovation. Across the country, students learn in overcrowded classrooms with peeling paint, leaking roofs, and faulty wiring. Some schools hold classes in "temporary" trailers, converted closets, and hallways. Too many students attend schools that lack basic electrical and telecommunications equipment necessary for connection to the Internet or the use of new education technologies.

Students attending schools in less than adequate condition face direct impacts on their academic achievement, as well as significant dangers to personal health and safety.
Unsafe and inadequate school facilities also impact classroom order and discipline.

Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) and Representatives Rangel (D-NY) and Ramstad (R-MN) have introduced the America's Better Classroom Act (S. 912/H.R. 2470), which would provide for more than $25 billion in bonds for school modernization and construction. See if your Representative and Senators have cosponsored this important legislation.

Contact Your Representative in Congress Today

Tell your representatives in Congress to cosponsor and support the America's Better Classroom Act.

5/18/07

News from Capitol Hill...

Tell Congress to Give Schools and Students the Resources Necessary for Success

Congress has completed work on the Congressional Budget Resolution for fiscal year 2008 – the blueprint for how funds will be spent in the coming year. Now, the House and Senate turn to the appropriations bills that will direct specific funds to individual programs. Earlier this year, Congress took the first essential steps toward restoring education cuts and freezes enacted over the last half-dozen years, by increasing funding for the current fiscal year. Unfortunately, too many students still are not receiving the tools and help they need to succeed. Additional investments in proven programs such as Title I and IDEA special education as well as higher education programs such as Pell Grants are essential if we are to fulfill every child's right to a great public school.

Contact Your Representatives in Congress Today

Tell the House and Senate to continue on the right path by increasing funding for critical education programs.

GPO/WEP Cosponsors Top 300!

The House version of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), which would repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision, has jumped to 303 bipartisan cosponsors; the Senate version (S. 206) now boasts 30 bipartisan supporters. Keep up the great work in building support for this critical legislation!

5/4/07

News from Capitol Hill...

Tell Congress to Remember Children and Education in New 'Emergency' Funding Legislation

This week, President Bush vetoed legislation to provide emergency funding for the current fiscal year. While the veto was based on opposition to timelines for withdrawal of troops from Iraq, the legislation also contained funding for other critical priorities. Emergency resources for two important programs — the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act and the State Children's Health Insurance program (SCHIP) — were included in the vetoed bill. Congress now goes back to the drawing board to craft a new bill, and it is critical that they include funding for these priorities:

• The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act has made a real difference for schools in rural, timber-dependent counties by ensuring them a consistent funding stream. Prior to implementation of this program, schools in heavily timbered counties were in crisis, experiencing dramatic reductions in funding. The program has restored critical educational services for students in rural schools and prevented the closure of numerous isolated rural schools. Unfortunately, the program expired at the end of 2006, and a number of counties around the country have already begun sending out pink slips notifying employees of potential layoffs.
  
  
• SCHIP funds grants to states to help provide health care for low-income children. The National Governors Association has warned that unless Congress acts immediately to address funding shortfalls, continued coverage for many children will be jeopardized.

  Contact Your Representative in Congress Today

  Tell the House and Senate to include emergency funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act and the State Children's Health Insurance program in any new emergency legislation for FY07.

Victory! House Passes Head Start Reauthorization Bill

On May 2, the House overwhelmingly passed positive legislation to reauthorize the Head Start program. The NEA-supported Improving Head Start Act of 2007 (H.R. 1429) increases Head Start funding, provides greater focus on professional development for Head Start staff, and rejects proposals from prior Congresses to tie funding to test results of very young children. The House also rejected NEA-opposed efforts to repeal long-standing civil rights protections that prevent Head Start providers from discriminating in employment decisions on the basis of religion.

Another Victory! House Passes Hate Crimes Bill

On May 3, the House passed the NEA-supported Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592), which would expand the definition of federal hate crimes and allow federal authorities to assist state and local enforcement efforts.