|
Federal Legislative Update
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Akaka (D-HI) | Boxer (D-CA) | Byrd (D-WV) |
| Cantwell (D-WA) | Clinton (D-NY) | Corzine (D-NJ) |
| Daschle (D-SD) | Dayton (D-MN) | Dodd (D-CT) |
| Durbin (D-IL) | Edwards (D-NC) | Feingold (D-WI) |
| Harkin (D-IA) | Inouye (D-HI) | Jeffords (I-VT) |
| Johnson (D-SD) | Kennedy (D-MA) | Kerry (D-MA) |
| Leahy (D-VT) | Levin (D-MI) | Lieberman (D-CT) |
| Mikulski (D-MD) | Murray (D-WA) | Pryor (D-AR) |
| Reed (D-RI) | Rockefeller (D-WV) | Sarbanes (D-MD) |
| Stabenow (D-MI) |
Full funding — What it means in your state
The Senate spending blueprint is radically different from the NEA-opposed Budget Resolution narrowly passed by the House. The House Budget Resolution includes NO fiscal relief for states struggling with unfunded mandates and staggering deficits; shortchanges key education programs, including Title I and special education; but makes room for a massive tax cut.
Next Showdown: House-Senate conference committee negotiations to resolve conflicting approaches on spending. Look for swift action.
School Capacity Relief Act
(H.R. 947) — The first bill to revise 'No Child Left Behind' Act Implementation
H.R. 947, Weiner (D-NY), would allow schools at their building capacity or class size limit to decline student transfers under the choice provisions for students from schools deemed not to have made adequate yearly progress (AYP). Representative Ed Case (D-HI) is a co-sponsor. NEA worked closely with Representative Weiner on this legislation.
Action Sought!
Ask your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 947!
McKay special education vouchers (IDEA)
Representative Jim DeMint (R-SC) has introduced a special education voucher bill, H.R. 1373, that could make Florida's McKay program a national model.
Time Sensitive! — The House Education Subcommittee will draft its IDEA bill on Wednesday, April 2.
Action sought
Tell Congress McKay special education vouchers can shortchange the needs of students with disabilities and should not become a national model.
Social Security offsets
H.R. 743 on the House calendar — Wednesday, April 12!
Action sought
Sec. 418 of the bill bans the option available in some states for employees of non-Social Security districts to switch jobs at the end of their careers so that they do not suffer a penalty on Social Security widow and spousal benefits (Government Pension Offset or GPO). It would change the eligibility requirement to qualify for spousal benefits from working one day to working five years in a Social Security district.
If this provision is enacted, it will go into effect 90 days after the bill is passed.
NEA members' lobbying efforts defeated H.R. 743 on the House floor earlier when the bill sponsor, Representative Clay Shaw (FL) bypassed the House Ways and Means Committee and took the bill directly to the floor, a procedure that requires two-thirds vote for approval. Shaw then moved the bill through the Ways and Means Committee. As a committee-passed bill, H.R. 743 now requires only a simple majority to pass the House.
NEA strongly opposes Sec. 418 and urges Congress instead to focus on fixing the underlying problem by repealing the GPO and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that unfairly reduce Social Security benefits for affected public employees. Representative Shaw has agreed to hold a hearing on the GPO/WEP issue. NEA continues to press for an early hearing.
GPO/WEP repeal bills co-sponsor news
H.R. 594 (McKeon (R-CA)-Berman (D-CA)) now has 172 cosponsors plus one nonvoting. S. 349 (Feinstein (D-CA) and Collins (R-ME)) now has 14.
The newest bipartisan additions: Representatives Hefley (R-CO), Bishop (D-GA), Gutierrez (D-IL), Hayes (R-NC), Berkley (D-NV), Cole (R-OK), Greenwood (R-PA), Gonzalez (D-TX).
Teachers Tax Relief Act of 2003
"I've taught for 21 years at this school and figure that I've put back a whole year's salary in that time." — A Maine Teacher
H.R. 785 [Representatives Camp (R-MI), Price (R-OH) and Tanner (D-TN)] and S. 695 [Senators Collins (R-ME) and Warner (R-VA)] build on the current $250 tax deduction for out-of-pocket expenses for classroom supplies by increasing the amount of the deduction ($400 in the House bill and $500 in the Senate bill) and allowing the deduction for classroom supplies and professional development expenses.
Action sought
Ask your Representative and Senators to cosponsor the Teachers Tax Relief Act of 2003.
News from Capitol Hill...
Full Funding
What it means in your state
NEA has prepared state-by-state charts showing how much each state would receive if Title I, special education, Head Start, rural education and teacher quality programs were fully funded.
Thumbs up: "Sense of the Senate" — Yes to state fiscal relief!
By a vote of 81-19, the Senate passed a bipartisan "Sense of the Senate" amendment to support $30 billion for state fiscal relief. While a "Sense of the Senate" action is non-binding, the overwhelming bipartisan vote for the Rockefeller (D-WV) - Collins (R-ME) amendment to the Budget Resolution sends a VERY strong signal that the Senate stands firm on state fiscal relief when it acts on the final economic recovery/tax bill.
NEA supports fiscal relief for states and welcomes the Senate expression of support, while continuing to press for $50 billion in relief for states facing the worst fiscal crises in more than 50 years.
The vote:
- Voting NO in opposition to the Rockefeller-Collins Amendment: Allard (CO), Allen (VA), Craig (ID), Crapo (ID), Ensign (NV), Enzi (WY), Graham (SC), Gregg (NH), Inhofe (OK), Kyl (AZ), Lott (MS), McCain (AZ), McConnell (KY), Nickles (OK), Santorum (PA), Sessions (AL), Shelby (AL), Sununu (NH), Thomas (WY).
- Absent: Miller (GA).
- Voting AYE in support of the Rockefeller-Collins Amendment: ALL other Senators.
Senate votes on additional amendments to the Budget Resolution -- the spending plan for the next budget year (Fiscal Year 2004: October 1, 2003 - September 30, 2004) — continue throughout the day.
Action sought
Thank your Senators who supported the Rockefeller-Collins "Sense of the Senate" Amendment to provide state fiscal relief and ask for their continued support.
Thumbs down: Administration's $726 billion tax cut squeaks through the House
Early this morning (Friday, March 21st), after hours of hard-ball lobbying by Administration officials and party leaders, the House narrowly (215-212) passed its Budget Resolution built on the Administration's $726 billion tax cut.
NEA opposed the House Budget Resolution that includes NO fiscal relief for states struggling to implement 'No Child Left Behind' Act mandates in the face of staggering budget deficits and shortchanges key education programs such as Title I and special education, while making room for a massive tax cut.
The Vote:
-
Voting NO on the NEA-Opposed House Budget Resolution: Democrats - All present and voting, except for Representative Hall (TX); Independent - Representative Sanders (VT); Republicans - Representatives Bartlett (MD), Castle (DE), Hefley (CO), Hostettler (IN), Houghton (NY), Johnson (CT), McHugh (NY), Moran (KS), Paul (TX), Platts (PA), Quinn (NY), Whitfield (KY).
-
Absent: Representatives Buyer (IN), Gordon (TN), Lipinski (IL), McCarthy (MO), Saxton (NJ), Snyder (AR), Thornberry (TX), and Udall (CO).
Next Steps: Because the House and Senate Budget Resolutions differ, they will move to a conference committee to be reconciled.
Action sought
Thank your Members of Congress who voted NO on the NEA-opposed House Budget Resolution and ask for their continued support as the debate moves to the House-Senate Conference Committee.
GPO/WEP
Repeal bills co-sponsor news
The House bill (H.R. 594 (McKeon (R-CA)- Berman (D-CA) now has 164 co-sponsors plus one non-voting. The newest bipartisan additions: Grijalva (D-AZ), Cardoza (D-CA), Davis (D-FL), Deutsch (D-FL), Wexler (D-FL), Norwood (R-GA), Engel (D-NY), McCarthy (D-NY), Johnson (D-TX), Moran (D-VA).
The Senate bill (S.349 (Feinstein (D-CA) and Collins (R-ME) now has 14 co-sponsors. The newest addition: Cantwell (D-WA).
Action sought: Thank and ask!
Thank the co-sponsors (House/Senate) and ask other Members of Congress to show their support by becoming co-sponsors.
NEA, coalition partners support Title IX resolution
NEA and a broad coalition of organizations are working to ensure that the gains made under the Patsy Mink Title IX Act not be eroded. A recent report has proposed changes in Title IX implementation. Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY), with Representative Nancy Johnson (R-CT) as original co-sponsor, has introduced a resolution expressing the sense of the House that Title IX should be kept intact, unchanged.
Action sought
Ask your Representative to co-sponsor the Slaughter Resolution and reaffirm support for Title IX.
News from Capitol Hill...
State fiscal crises + unfunded mandates + sweeping tax cuts = fuzzy math
National Call-In Day: March 19
Please call your senators toll-free on March 19 at
1-888-280-6279
Tell them to make fiscal relief for states and fully funding federal mandates their priority, NOT the Administration's sweeping tax cut package.
Budget committees leave states adrift in red ink
The House and Senate Budget Committees this week provided ZERO for state fiscal relief. The House and Senate Budget Resolutions, that is, their spending blueprints for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2003 (Fiscal Year 2004), are different, but neither provides state fiscal relief or fully funds federal education mandates. The House Resolution, in fact, cuts education funding.
NEA opposes the House and Senate Budget Resolutions. Representatives and Senators of both parties are expressing grave concern. NEA will be working in both the House and Senate to support amendments. Votes will occur next week.
Action sought
Ask Members of Congress — Please oppose the Budget Committees' spending blueprint for FY04. Please support amendments to make state fiscal relief and full funding for federal mandates priorities.
Friends of education earn special thanks
Budget Committee members who introduced significant amendments to correct the shortfalls in the committee's Budget Resolution merit special thanks.
- An amendment to increase education program funding, including funding for Title I, Teacher Quality and Pell grants was offered by: Representatives Tammy Baldwin (WI), Artur Davis (AL), Rosa DeLauro (CT), Chet Edwards (TX), Darlene Hooley (OR), John Lewis (GA), Denise Majette (GA), Dennis Moore (KS), and Bobby Scott (VA).
These failed by party line votes with all committee Democrats supporting the amendments and all committee Republicans opposed.
- An amendment to restore the proposed cuts in Impact Aid to maintain services at the current 2003 level was offered by Representatives Artur Davis (AL), Chet Edwards (TX), Dennis Moore (KS), and Bobby Scott (VA). This amendment passed by a vote of 42-1, with only Representative Tom Tancredo (CO) opposed.
- Senator Patty Murray (WA) offered an amendment that would fully fund the 'No Child Left Behind' Act. The amendment failed by a vote of 11-12, with all committee Democrats in support and all committee Republicans opposed.
Social Security offsets
H.R. 743 returns
After NEA members' lobbying efforts defeated H.R. 743 on the House floor last week, Representative Clay Shaw (FL) revived the bill by returning it to the House Ways & Means Committee. The committee then passed the bill by a vote of 35-2, with only Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX) and Max Sandlin (TX) opposed. Representatives Doggett and Sandlin merit thanks. The bill now goes to the full House. As a committee-passed bill, H.R. 743 requires only a simple majority to pass the House.
The original non-controversial bill simply protected Social Security beneficiaries from fraud and abuse. Language (Sec. 418) inserted into the bill, however, bans the option in some states for employees of non-Social Security districts to switch jobs at the end of their careers so that they and their families do not suffer a penalty on their Social Security widow and spouse benefits (Government Pension Offset or GPO).
NEA strongly opposed Sec. 418 and urged Congress instead to focus on fixing the underlying problem by repealing the GPO and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that unfairly reduce Social Security benefits for affected public employees. Representative Shaw in reply agreed to hold a hearing on the GPO/WEP issue.
Action sought
Ask your Representative to take a message to Representative Shaw: "It is simply unacceptable to ask Americans to perform the most vital services in our nation and reduce their retirement benefits in the process. Please hold an early hearing on GPO/WEP."
GPO/WEP repeal bills co-sponsor news
The House bill (H.R. 594 (McKeon (R-CA)- Berman (D-CA) now has 154 cosponsors plus one non-voting. The newest bipartisan additions include:Bud Cramer (D-AL), Tom Davis (R-VA), William Delahunt (D-MA), Nancy Johnson (R-CT), Jay Inslee (D-WA), Marty Meehan (D-MA), Alan Mollohan (D-WV), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), Jim Saxton (R-NJ), Pete Sessions (R-TX), John Tierney (D-MA), and non-voting delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)
The Senate bill (S.349 Feinstein (D-CA) and Collins (R-ME) now has 13 cosponsors. The newest additions: John Kerry (D-MA) and Harry Reid (D-NV).
News from Capitol Hill...
Will Congress do the right thing?
NEA is spearheading an appeal to Congress for $50 billion in state fiscal relief. Last week NEA President Reg Weaver asked members' help in urging Congress to do the right thing by our states.
Why? States face the worst budget crisis since World War II. School terms are being cut short, layoff notices issued, and Portland, OR, teachers working without pay to protect the school term for their students. Failure to provide states and communities immediate fiscal relief in this financial crisis threatens the gains made by students and public schools the last several years and delays any economic recovery.
Congress must provide the resources necessary to fund the significant new mandates under the new ESEA ['No Child Left Behind' Act]. The actual funding falls $11 billion short of the amount promised in the law. This simply sets schools and states up for failure. That is unacceptable.
This week, the House of Representatives and the Senate Budget Committees begin drafting the spending blueprint or 'Budget Resolution' for the budget year that begins October 1, 2003. Congress' spending plan must help fill the gapping holes in state budgets.
Our students are hurting from budget deficits and cutbacks every day. When we shortchange them, we shortchange our future. Our states, our schools, our colleges and universities need our help NOW.
Send a message to Congress. Ask your Representative and Senators to urge their Budget Committees to make state fiscal relief a priority.
Social Security offsets
The 'loophole' stays open!
In a major victory for NEA and others concerned about the Government Pension Offset (GPO), the House of Representatives this week defeated legislation that would have closed the so-called "loophole," that is, the option in some states like Texas and Georgia for employees of non-Social Security districts to work briefly in and retire from a Social Security district and thus avoid the offset's harsh impact.
The legislation, H.R. 743, was an essentially non-controversial bill designed to protect Social Security beneficiaries from fraud and abuse. However, language was inserted into the bill that would have closed the "loophole," to the detriment of many teachers. NEA strongly opposed closing the "loophole" and urged Congress instead to focus on fixing the underlying problem by repealing the GPO and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).
Thanks to the lobbying efforts by NEA and the Texas State Teachers Association, the House defeated the bill. (The vote was 249-180, but a bill on the non-controversial or 'consent' calendar requires a two-thirds majority to pass.)
Thank your Members of Congress who voted against the bill.
Co-sponsor lists grow
H.R. 594 (McKeon (R-CA)-Berman (D-CA)) and S. 349 (Feinstein (D-CA)-Collins (R-ME)) would repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions (GPO/WEP). These offsets unfairly penalize many public employees, including many school employees, by reducing Social Security benefits they or a spouse have earned.
The House bill (H.R. 594) now has 143 cosponsors. The newest bipartisan additions are: Sam Farr (D-CA); Edward Royce (R-CA); Donald Manzullo (R-IL); Billy Tauzin (R-LA); Dale Kildee (D-MI); Gary Ackerman (D-NY); Dennis Kucinich (D-OH); Tim Ryan (D-OH); and Chris Bell (D-TX).
The Senate bill (S.349) now has 11 cosponsors. The newest additions are Zell Miller (D-GA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
Action sought: Thank and ask!
Thank the cosponsors: H.R. 594 / S. 349
Ask Representatives and Senators who have not yet signed on to the bills to show their support by becoming cosponsors of this important legislation.
Tax relief for out-of-pocket expenses
Teachers and paraprofessionals dig deep into their pockets year after year to equip classrooms and enhance school programs. NEA lobbying won legislation that allows teachers and paraprofessionals to recoup at least some of what they spend through an above-the-line deduction for out-of-pocket classroom expenses. An above-the-line deduction applies whether or not a taxpayer itemizes. However, this deduction expires in 2003.
NEA is supporting a new bill, H.R. 785 (Representatives Dave Camp (R-MI), Deborah Pryce (R-OH) and John Tanner (D-TN)), that would make tax relief permanent, increase the current maximum deduction from $250 to $400, and expand allowable expenses to include professional development. The bill would take effect this tax year.
Action needed
Ask your Representative to become a co-sponsor. More co-sponsors mean a stronger push to passage.
Printer friendly
E-mail
Subscribe
help contact us change your address sitemap legal privacy policy your california privacy rights advertise jobs@nea
© Copyright 2002-2008 National Education Association
