July 1, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Increased Student Achievement through Increased Student Support Act. We thank you for your leadership in introducing this important legislation.

Counseling programs staffed by professional school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers help all students in the areas of student learning, personal/social development and career development, ensuring that students become productive, well-adjusted adults. Effective counseling programs are important to the school climate and in improving student achievement. Too often, however, these professionals have unreasonable caseloads, but counselors are expected to attend to the individual needs of students. In addition, many counselors are serving as testing coordinators, diverting their time away from meeting students' needs.

The lack of school counselors and other social services personnel is of particular concern in many low-income school districts today, given the increased pressure on student performance and the social, emotional and behavioral issues that impact achievement in high-needs schools. Your bill will help address these critical needs by increasing the number of school counselors, social workers and psychologists in under-served school districts.

We thank you again for your leadership on this important issue and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every child.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 7, 2008

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we urge you to vote YES on the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331). This important legislation will result in much improved access to affordable, high quality medical care and pharmaceutical services for Medicare beneficiaries in rural and urban areas. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

NEA supports this bill because it would:

• Delay for 18 months a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician fees scheduled to take effect on July 1 and increase payments by 1.1 percent. Many physicians already turn away Medicare patients because reimbursement rates for some services are so low they do not cover the cost of providing them. Reducing these reimbursements even further will increase the number of physicians refusing to treat Medicare patients. In fact, nearly half the medical groups that participate in Medicare are accepting fewer Medicare patients or have stopped accepting them altogether, according to a recent survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association. In addition, physicians are considering steps such as laying off staff or postponing purchases of needed technology that could compromise the quality of care.
  
  
• Protect seniors and disabled citizens from marketing fraud and abuse by salespeople working for private Medicare plans. Specifically, it would ban abusive marketing and sales practices in Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug programs.
  
  
• Expand rural health care programs. In so doing, the bill will improve access to affordable, high quality medical care in underserved areas.
  
  
• Reduce copayments for mental health services from 50 percent to 20 percent. Too many Medicare beneficiaries are unable to afford the higher copayments associated with behavioral health treatment for illnesses such as depression and anxiety. NEA recommends reducing the copayments for behavioral health treatment so they are on par with medical services.
  
  
• Cuts payments to private Medicare Advantage benefit plans, which currently receive payment at a rate 13 percent higher than that received by traditional Medicare fee-for-service providers. In doing, so, the bill alleviates the cost of this special deal to taxpayers and beneficiaries.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 26, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to share our views on education funding as you mark-up the FY09 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill. While we have not yet seen all of the provisions of the bill, we are encouraged by increases in several key education programs.

A strong public education system is critical to the future strength and economic well-being of our nation. In the past two years, this Congress took essential steps toward restoring education cuts and freezes enacted over the last half dozen years and providing the resources necessary to fulfill every child's right to a great public school. We greatly appreciate the leadership role of the subcommittee and committee in securing these much needed increases over the past few years.

Despite these positive steps, however, too many of our 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 close achievement gaps and maximize the academic potential of every student. Therefore, we greatly appreciate the increases in key programs proposed in the funding bill marked up by the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related agencies earlier this week, including:

• Providing a $665 million increase for Title I for low income students
• Increasing the federal share for IDEA funding from 17.1% to 17.5%
• Increasing the Pell Grant maximum by $169, more than doubling the President's request of a $69 increase

We also appreciate the rejection of the President's proposals to divert scarce resources to private school voucher efforts that are inappropriate and have yet to prove they help students achieve at higher levels. Further, we appreciate the rejection of numerous other education program cuts and eliminations proposed by the President.

Based on the information we have to date, we have one significant concern about funding provided in this bill. We oppose continuation of funding for the merit pay program, the Teacher Incentive Fund. We instead urge that these funds be targeted to Title II Teacher Quality State grants. This will allow all states, rather than just a few select districts, to increase investments in teacher quality.

Congress is back on the right track for education funding after several years of devastating cuts and freezes. We urge you to continue on this path and pass an education appropriations bill that provides the resources necessary to guarantee all children the quality public education to which they are entitled.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 24, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to reject any efforts to extend funding for the District of Columbia's so-called "Opportunity Scholarship Program." This program was created in 2004 as a five-year voucher experiment and is set to expire this September.

The DC voucher program has yielded no evidence of a positive impact on student achievement. The program is poorly administered and diverts $14 million from struggling public schools. A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, issued in November 2007, found that administrative and accountability problems pervade the DC voucher program, undermining fiscal and operational integrity. GAO found, for example, that the program supports private schools that do not charge tuition and schools that use unqualified teachers - some do not have even bachelor's degrees. (The complete GAO report, District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program: Additional Policies and Procedures Would Improve Internal Controls and Program Operations, is available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d089.pdf.)

All DC children deserve to go to a great public school. Our nation's capital needs real education reform - not vouchers - to ensure that no child gets left behind. This reform requires meaningful resources, not a diversion of funding to vouchers. We urge you to let this program expire as scheduled, with no funding for fiscal year 2009.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 25, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Providing Resources Early for Kids (PRE-K) Act (H.R. 3289) and urge its passage in today's Committee markup. Please vote in favor of this important legislation to help states enhance the quality of their pre-k programs.

NEA believes that children's learning begins well before they enter school, and that the transition to school must be founded on strong school readiness. Research shows that quality early childhood education is a key predictor of a child's future educational achievement and emotional development. Children need proper stimulation and education from birth through age six in order to ensure full development and adequate preparation for the rigors of school.

Given the importance of high-quality early childhood learning opportunities, we are pleased that this bill would give states the flexibility to use funds for a variety of strategies designed to enhance pre-k programs. For example, states could direct funds authorized under the bill to increase the number of trained early childhood educators, improve student-to-teacher ratios in preschools, provide vital comprehensive services such as health screenings and nutritional assistance, increase the hours per day and weeks per year families have access to high quality early education programs, and/or improve early education programs serving the youngest children.

Again, we thank you for your consideration of this request and look forward to continuing to work with you on these very important issues.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 24, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our strong opposition to a provision in the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act (H.R.3221) that would prevent localities from raising tax rates to help compensate for shrinking property tax revenues resulting from declining home values. This potentially dangerous provision could force localities to cut funding for schools, police, and other vital public services and will have other unintended consequences. We urge you to vote NO on cloture for this legislation unless these provisions are removed from the bill. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Property taxes are a major funding source for schools in most state. They also support vital services such as police and fire departments, road maintenance, libraries, parks, and social services. In the areas hardest hit by the housing crisis, property values are falling. If values are falling, property tax revenues will fall unless the rates are raised.

The number of children who must be educated does not drop just because property values fall. Nor do the costs of providing police and fire protection, maintaining roads, and other services. If localities do not have the flexibility to offset even a portion of this revenue loss by raising property tax rates, they may have to lay off teachers or take other drastic action to cut K-12 education, as well as cut police forces and close fire stations.

If the federal government limits the ability of localities to raise property tax rates, states will face pressure to make up the revenue that localities need to maintain services. At the current time, more than half of the states face deficits that average nine percent of their expenditures. Some states are cutting various forms of aid to localities in order to meet their own balanced budget requirements; states experiencing fiscal stress are in no position to replace lost property tax revenue. In short, this proposal could squeeze state and local services from both ends.

We urge you to protect education and other vital public services by opposing this ill-conceived provision in H.R. 3221.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 23, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to share our views on education funding as you mark-up the FY09 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill.

A strong public education system is critical to the future strength and economic well-being of our nation. In the past two years, this Congress took essential steps toward restoring education cuts and freezes enacted over the last half dozen years and providing the resources necessary to fulfill every child's right to a great public school. Most recently, the FY09 Congressional Budget Resolution rejected further cuts and program eliminations proposed by the President. We greatly appreciate the leadership role of the subcommittee and committee in securing these much needed increases over the past few years.

Despite these positive steps, however, too many of our 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 close achievement gaps and maximize the academic potential of every student.

To meet continuing urgent needs, we urge you to:

• Fund critical programs such as Title I, Title II, and School Improvement Grants at the levels necessary to ensure great public schools for every child, including increasing Title I by $3 billion (from $13.9 billion to $16.9 billion) and putting it on a path to be doubled in funding over five years.
  
  
• Increase funding for IDEA special education by $2.3 billion (from $10.9 billion to $13.2 billion). This increase would raise the federal share of special education costs from 17 to 20 percent.
  
  
• Significantly increase the funding for Pell Grants and career and technical education programs to train our workforce to deal with the realities of the 21st Century, including increasing the Pell Grant maximum to $5,100 (from $4,310).
  
  
• Reject any efforts to divert scarce resources to private school vouchers;
  
  
• Limit funding for the unauthorized Teacher Incentive Fund so that funds can instead be targeted to Title II Teacher Quality State grants. This will allow all states, rather than just a few select districts, to increase investments in teacher quality.

Congress is back on the right track for education funding after several years of devastating cuts and freezes. We urge you to continue on this path and craft an education appropriations bill that provides the resources necessary to guarantee all children the quality public education to which they are entitled.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 19, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we strongly urge your support for the domestic spending provisions in the 2008 supplemental appropriations bill. While we know that there has been extensive debate and concern about budgetary issues, several education-related provisions are essential and cannot be delayed further. Votes associated with this legislation may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Specifically, we strongly support provisions that would:

• Delay pending Medicaid regulations that threaten the provision of school-based health care for low-income children and children with disabilities. School districts play a critical role as a site for healthcare delivery for students during the day. In fact, receiving medical services through school may be the only way some students get the services they need. Medicaid reimbursement helps school districts provide the highest quality services to students with special needs. Cutting Medicaid payments to schools would jeopardize the ability of students to receive needed school-based health care and could force students to remain at home rather than attending school. More than half the states are contemplating cuts in critical services, including health care and education. The deteriorating economy and consequent drop in revenues leaves them no choice - by law, the states must balance their budgets. Congress must recognize the serious impact these Medicaid regulations would have on the states and provide much-needed relief.
  
  
• Expand education benefits for veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans of these conflicts deserve the same respect as veterans of World War II. Expanded education benefits are an appropriate way to recognize their service and equip them to succeed as they re-enter civilian society.
  
  
• Extend unemployment insurance benefits. Extending unemployment benefits will provide an immediate boost for the economy and help struggling families get back on their feet.

We thank you for your attention to these important issues and hope we can count on your support.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 19, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to share our views on education funding as you mark-up the FY09 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill.

A strong public education system is critical to the future strength and economic well-being of our nation. In the past two years, this Congress took essential steps toward restoring education cuts and freezes enacted over the last half dozen years and providing the resources necessary to fulfill every child's right to a great public school. Most recently, the FY09 Congressional Budget Resolution rejected further cuts and program eliminations proposed by the President. We greatly appreciate the leadership role of the subcommittee and committee in securing these much needed increases over the past few years.

Despite these positive steps, however, too many of our 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 close achievement gaps and maximize the academic potential of every student.

To meet continuing urgent needs, we urge you to:

• Fund critical programs such as Title I, Title II, and School Improvement Grants at the levels necessary to ensure great public schools for every child, including increasing Title I by $3 billion (from $13.9 billion to $16.9 billion) and putting it on a path to be doubled in funding over five years.
  
  
• Increase funding for IDEA special education by $2.3 billion (from $10.9 billion to $13.2 billion). This increase would raise the federal share of special education costs from 17 to 20 percent.
  
  
• Significantly increase the funding for Pell Grants and career and technical education programs to train our workforce to deal with the realities of the 21st Century, including increasing the Pell Grant maximum to $5,100 (from $4,310).
  
  
• Reject any efforts to divert scarce resources to private school vouchers;
  
  
• Limit funding for the unauthorized Teacher Incentive Fund so that funds can instead be targeted to Title II Teacher Quality State grants. This will allow all states, rather than just a few select districts, to increase investments in teacher quality.

Congress is back on the right track for education funding after several years of devastating cuts and freezes. We urge you to continue on this path and craft an education appropriations bill that provides the resources necessary to guarantee all children the quality public education to which they are entitled.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 18, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to offer our support for the NCLB Recess until Reauthorization Act (HR 6239), which would suspend imposition of any new sanctions for failure to make Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind Act and, instead, allow schools to focus on improving student achievement. We thank you for your leadership in introducing this bill - one that will make a real difference for public school students in Missouri and across the nation - as well as your ongoing efforts in support of public education.

H.R. 6239 would prevent any new or additional sanctions from being imposed on schools and school districts under the No Child Left Behind law for one year or until the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act is reauthorized, whichever comes first. It would not remove sanctions from schools or school districts currently subject to them.

The current sanction system imposes escalating sanctions in a rapid succession, with little time to evaluate their impact on educational quality. In imposing a moratorium on new sanctions, your bill recognizes their detrimental impact on the very students the law was intended to help. In fact, many students in high-poverty schools subject to escalating sanctions have actually seen a reduction in curriculum in favor of "teaching to the test." In addition, there is little evidence that the NCLB mandated sanctions have helped raise student achievement or close achievement gaps.

Six and a half years after enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act, 18 states still do not have final approval for their system of standards and assessments, raising serious questions about the validity of sanctions imposed since they are based on the results of those assessments. The Department of Education has indicated it is unlikely to give any additional states full approval by the end of the current school year. Therefore, a pause in designating more schools for improvement, as called for under your legislation, is essential to preventing the continued possible misidentification of schools.

We believe your legislation offers a common-sense approach to slowing down the sanction process until the entire system can be reevaluated through the reauthorization process. If the bill moves forward we have some technical suggestions to the language to clarify that schools and districts already identified will still be subject to the appropriate requirements of the law. We thank you again for your leadership on these important issues and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every child.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 18, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to offer our support for the NCLB Recess until Reauthorization Act (HR 6239), which would suspend imposition of any new sanctions for failure to make Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind Act and, instead, allow schools to focus on improving student achievement. We thank you for your leadership in introducing this bill - one that will make a real difference for public school students in Missouri and across the nation - as well as your ongoing efforts in support of public education.

H.R. 6239 would prevent any new or additional sanctions from being imposed on schools and school districts under the No Child Left Behind law for one year or until the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act is reauthorized, whichever comes first. It would not remove sanctions from schools or school districts currently subject to them.

The current sanction system imposes escalating sanctions in a rapid succession, with little time to evaluate their impact on educational quality. In imposing a moratorium on new sanctions, your bill recognizes their detrimental impact on the very students the law was intended to help. In fact, many students in high-poverty schools subject to escalating sanctions have actually seen a reduction in curriculum in favor of "teaching to the test." In addition, there is little evidence that the NCLB mandated sanctions have helped raise student achievement or close achievement gaps.

Six and a half years after enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act, 18 states still do not have final approval for their system of standards and assessments, raising serious questions about the validity of sanctions imposed since they are based on the results of those assessments. The Department of Education has indicated it is unlikely to give any additional states full approval by the end of the current school year. Therefore, a pause in designating more schools for improvement, as called for under your legislation, is essential to preventing the continued possible misidentification of schools.

We believe your legislation offers a common-sense approach to slowing down the sanction process until the entire system can be reevaluated through the reauthorization process. If the bill moves forward we have some technical suggestions to the language to clarify that schools and districts already identified will still be subject to the appropriate requirements of the law. We thank you again for your leadership on these important issues and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every child.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 18, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge your support for the No Child Left Inside Act (H.R. 3036), scheduled for mark-up in the Education and Labor Committee today. Actions in committee associated with these issues may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Our country is facing a host of well-documented, complicated environmental challenges that will require our citizenry to be more educated than ever before about our personal and civic choices. At the same time, we have seen a narrowing of school curricula, as schools are forced to spend more and more learning time preparing for high stakes testing. This trend is most exaggerated in the schools of our poorest communities.

NEA strongly supports the rich, challenging, authentic experiences that comprise environmental education for all children. Furthermore, we submit that in order to reach this goal, teachers and schools systems must have greater authority, flexibility, and support to incorporate environmental education into core subject areas. Additionally, states in partnership with LEA's and other stakeholders must develop plans to ensure that all children are provided the learning experiences they need to become environmentally literate.

The No Child Left Inside Act would help address these challenges. Specifically, it would expand the National Environmental Education Act by providing grants to:

• Ensure that teachers have the have the necessary knowledge and skills to teach environmental education; and
• Enhance state and national capacity for environmental education.

States that create environmental literacy plans detailing how all graduates will be environmentally literate will be eligible for this funding.

In 2008, environmental literacy cannot be a privilege reserved for a few; it is a right and a responsibility that every one of us must undertake. The No Child Left Inside Act represents a critical step in ensuring environmental literacy for all. We urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 17, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to reject any efforts to extend funding for the District of Columbia's so-called "Opportunity Scholarship Program." This ill-advised program was created in 2004 as a five-year voucher experiment and is set to expire this September.

The DC voucher program has yielded no evidence of a positive impact on student achievement. The program is poorly administered and diverts $14 million from struggling public schools. A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, issued in November 2007, found that administrative and accountability problems pervade the DC voucher program, undermining fiscal and operational integrity. GAO found, for example, that the program supports private schools that do not charge tuition and schools that use unqualified teachers - some do not have even bachelor's degrees. (The complete GAO report, District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program: Additional Policies and Procedures Would Improve Internal Controls and Program Operations, is available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d089.pdf.)

All DC children deserve to go to a great public school. Our nation's capital needs real education reform - not vouchers - to ensure that no child gets left behind. We urge you to let this program expire as scheduled, with no funding for fiscal year 2009.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 16, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to VOTE YES on CLOTURE on the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049). This bill includes important provisions that would extend the tax deduction for educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses, the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) school modernization program, and the Child Tax Credit. In addition, moving forward with this bill will allow the Senate to consider a substitute that would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program for four years. These issues are critically important to NEA members across the country, who will be watching congressional actions closely. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

• The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination program is essential to the survivability of over 800 rural counties and 4,400 schools near national forests in 42 states across the country. It has made a real difference for schools in rural, timber-dependent counties, by ensuring them a consistent funding stream. Since its creation in 2000, the program has been an enormous success. Prior to implementation of this program, schools in forest 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 has expired. Failure to reauthorize and fund it immediately will result in a substantial and devastating funding cut for rural counties across the country. Congress has only a short time to act before counties have to start implementing cuts to schools and services. In fact, a number of counties around the country have already begun sending out pink slips notifying employees of potential lay offs.
  

  The substitute including reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program will only be considered if the Senate moves to proceed on H.R. 6049.
  

• The educator tax deduction helps recognize the financial sacrifices made by teachers and paraprofessionals. Studies show that educators spend more of their own funds each year to supply their classrooms, including purchasing essential items such as pencils, glue, scissors, and facial tissues. For example, NEA's 2003 report Status of the American Public School Teacher, 2000-2001 found that teachers spent an average of $443 a year on classroom supplies. More recently, the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that in 2005-2006, educators spent out of their own pockets an average of $826.00 for supplies and an additional $926 for instructional materials, for a total of $1,752.

• The QZAB program has proven to be an efficient and cost-effective way to help disadvantaged communities address pressing renovation and repair needs. QZABs assist school districts in rural and urban communities by providing a financing mechanism to renovate buildings and invest in equipment and technology. Investors receive a federal tax credit equal to the amount of interest payable on the bonds, thereby relieving local taxpayers and municipalities of the interest burden.

• The Child Tax Credit provisions would extend the credit to working families who don't earn enough to qualify for the current credit. Many of these are young families, struggling to balance child care and work and who are scraping together a living, while trying simultaneously to make time for their young children.

Again, we urge your support Cloture on this important legislation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 12, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we again urge your support for legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits. We were disappointed that the House failed to pass this legislation earlier this week under suspension of the rules. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

For five consecutive months, the U.S. economy has lost jobs, for a total loss of over 300,000 jobs. Just last month, the unemployment rate saw its biggest one-month increase in over 20 years. Currently, over 1.5 million workers are long-term unemployed, meaning they have been jobless for over six months.

Long-term unemployed individuals receive neither a paycheck nor unemployment benefits. And, rising gas and food prices are making it even harder for them to meet their families' even most basic needs. Extension of the unemployment insurance program is critical to ensuring family stability and, consequently, the well being of thousands of students in our public schools.

The legislation under consideration this week would provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting regular unemployment compensation. In states with higher levels of unemployment, an additional 13 weeks would be available. This temporary extended benefits program would expire in March 2009.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates this bill would provide benefits to 3.8 million unemployed workers. In addition, it will help stimulate the economy. According to CBO, extending unemployment benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fastest-acting forms of economic stimulus because the money is spent quickly.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 12, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Providing Resources Early for Kids (PRE-K) Act (H.R. 3289). We thank you for your leadership in introducing this important legislation to help states enhance the quality of their pre-k programs.

NEA believes that children's learning begins well before they enter school, and that the transition to school must be founded on strong school readiness. Research shows that quality early childhood education is a key predictor of a child's future educational achievement and emotional development. Children need proper stimulation and education from birth through age six in order to ensure full development and adequate preparation for the rigors of school.

Given the importance of high-quality early childhood learning opportunities, we are pleased that your bill would give states the flexibility to use funds for a variety of strategies designed to enhance pre-k programs. For example, states could direct funds authorized under the bill to increase the number of trained early childhood educators, improve student-to-teacher ratios in preschools, provide vital comprehensive services such as health screenings and nutritional assistance, increase the hours per day and weeks per year families have access to high quality early education programs, and/or improve early education programs serving the youngest children.

Again, we thank you for your leadership and look forward to continuing to work with you on these very important issues.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 12, 2008

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we urge you to vote YES ON a MOTION TO PROCEED TO CONSIDER the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (S. 3101). This important legislation will result in much improved access to affordable, high quality medical care and pharmaceutical services for Medicare beneficiaries in rural and urban areas. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

NEA supports this bill because it would:

• Delay for 18 months a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician fees scheduled to take effect on July 1 and increase payments by 1.1 percent. Many physicians already turn away Medicare patients because reimbursement rates for some services are so low they do not cover the cost of providing them. Reducing these reimbursements even further will increase the number of physicians refusing to treat Medicare patients. In fact, nearly half the medical groups that participate in Medicare are accepting fewer Medicare patients or have stopped accepting them altogether, according to a recent survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association. In addition, physicians are considering steps such as laying off staff or postponing purchases of needed technology that could compromise the quality of care.
• Protect seniors and disabled citizens from marketing fraud and abuse by salespeople working for private Medicare plans. By promoting electronic prescribing, the bill would help reduce prescription ordering and dispensing errors so Medicare beneficiaries would no longer have to worry about the accuracy of their prescription medicines.
• Expand rural health care programs. In so doing, the bill will improve access to affordable, high quality medical care in underserved areas.
• Reduce copayments for mental health services from 50 percent to 20 percent. Too many Medicare beneficiaries are unable to afford the higher copayments associated with behavioral health treatment for illnesses such as depression and anxiety. NEA recommends reducing the copayments for behavioral health treatment so they are on par with medical services.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 10, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we strongly urge your support for legislation expected to be on the House floor later this week that would extend unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

For five consecutive months, the U.S. economy has lost jobs, for a total loss of over 300,000 jobs. Just last month, the unemployment rate saw its biggest one-month increase in over 20 years. Currently, over 1.5 million workers are long-term unemployed, meaning they have been jobless for over six months.

Long-term unemployed individuals receive neither a paycheck nor unemployment benefits. And, rising gas and food prices are making it even harder for them to meet their families' even most basic needs. Extension of the unemployment insurance program is critical to ensuring family stability and, consequently, the well being of thousands of students in our public schools.

The legislation under consideration this week would provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting regular unemployment compensation. In states with higher levels of unemployment, an additional 13 weeks would be available. This temporary extended benefits program would expire in March 2009.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates this bill would provide benefits to 3.8 million unemployed workers. In addition, it will help stimulate the economy. According to CBO, extending unemployment benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fastest-acting forms of economic stimulus because the money is spent quickly.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 10, 2008

As a follow up to our letter to you yesterday, we would like to remind you VOTE YES ON CLOTURE for the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049), scheduled for a floor debate this week. In addition to the reasons we outlined yesterday for supporting cloture (extension of educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses, QZAB school modernization program, and Child Tax Credit), moving forward with this bill will allow the Senate to consider a substitute that would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program for four years. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination program is essential to the survivability of over 800 rural counties and 4,400 schools near national forests in 42 states across the country. It has made a real difference for schools in rural, timber-dependent counties, by ensuring them a consistent funding stream. Since its creation in 2000, the program has been an enormous success. Prior to implementation of this program, schools in forest 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 Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act has expired. Failure to reauthorize and fund it immediately will result in a substantial and devastating funding cut for rural counties across the country. Congress has only a short time to act before counties have to start implementing cuts to schools and services. In fact, a number of counties around the country have already begun sending out pink slips notifying employees of potential lay offs.

The substitute including reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program will only be considered if the Senate reaches cloture on H.R. 6049. We urge your support for cloture on this important legislation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 6, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for your efforts to repeal or modify the subsidy asset test under the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Such a change would allow more low income Medicare beneficiaries with limited assets to qualify for financial assistance with Part D premiums and other out-of-pocket drug costs.

Currently, millions of low income Medicare beneficiaries do not qualify for the subsidy because they fail the asset test. A recent GAO report (Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy, May 2008, GAO-08-812T) found that many beneficiaries denied eligibility had assets that exceeded the limit, some by as little as $4,572. Most who do not meet the asset test, in reality, have very modest assets, which tend to be bank accounts rather than stocks, mutual funds, and bonds.

In addition, beneficiaries are required to complete complex documentation of the value of their assets, including bank accounts, vehicles, and property other than their home. Often, beneficiaries are denied for failing to complete the application rather than for being over the asset limit.

Widows tend to fail the asset test at a far greater rate than married couples or males. They tend to be older, live alone, and have more chronic illnesses necessitating prescription drug purchases, but have less family support.

Because of these problems, many low income individuals face the same Part D "doughnut hole" cost-sharing requirements as wealthier beneficiaries. Besides paying full monthly Part D premiums, these beneficiaries are responsible for substantial out-of- pocket costs.

Repealing or modifying the asset test would help protect low income individuals who would otherwise be excluded from subsidized prescription drug benefits due to the asset test.

We thank you for your leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 9, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to VOTE YES ON CLOTURE for the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049), scheduled for a floor debate this week. This bill includes important provisions that would extend the tax deduction for educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses, the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) school modernization program, and the Child Tax Credit. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

The educator tax deduction helps recognize the financial sacrifices made by teachers and paraprofessionals. Studies show that educators spend more of their own funds each year to supply their classrooms, including purchasing essential items such as pencils, glue, scissors, and facial tissues. For example, NEA's 2003 report Status of the American Public School Teacher, 2000-2001 found that teachers spent an average of $443 a year on classroom supplies. More recently, the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that in 2005-2006, educators spent out of their own pockets an average of $826.00 for supplies and an additional $926 for instructional materials, for a total of $1,752.

The QZAB program has proven to be an efficient and cost-effective way to help disadvantaged communities address pressing renovation and repair needs. QZABs assist school districts in rural and urban communities by providing a financing mechanism to renovate buildings and invest in equipment and technology. Investors receive a federal tax credit equal to the amount of interest payable on the bonds, thereby relieving local taxpayers and municipalities of the interest burden.

The Child Tax Credit provisions would extend the credit to working families who don't earn enough to qualify for the current credit. Many of these are young families, struggling to balance child care and work and who are scraping together a living, while trying simultaneously to make time for their young children.

Again, we urge your support for cloture on this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 6, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we ask for your support of the domestic spending provisions in the 2008 supplemental appropriations bill. While we know that there has been extensive debate and concern about budgetary issues, several education-related provisions are critical and cannot be delayed further. Votes associated with this legislation may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Specifically, we strongly support provisions that would:

• Extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. This program expired at the end of 2006 and was extended for a year by the 2007 emergency supplemental appropriations bill. Failure to extend the program before the end of this month will have a devastating effect on students and educators in 4,400 rural school districts in 42 states, as school districts will have to lay off staff and eliminate programs.
• Delay pending Medicaid regulations that threaten the provision of school-based health care for low-income children and children with disabilities. More than half the states are contemplating cuts in critical services, including health care and education. The deteriorating economy and consequent drop in revenues leaves them no choice - by law, the states must balance their budgets. Congress must recognize the serious impact these Medicaid regulations would have on the states and provide much-needed relief.
• Expand education benefits for veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans of these conflicts deserve the same respect as veterans of World War II. Expanded education benefits are an appropriate way to recognize their service and equip them to succeed as they re-enter civilian society.

We thank you for your attention to these important issues and hope we can count on your support.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 5, 2008

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA) we would like to express our sincere appreciation for your vote yesterday in support of the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021).

As you know, this important legislation provides $6.4 billion in federal grants to help states and local school districts repair and modernize public schools. Equally important, the legislation provides an economic stimulus that helps create more than 100,000 new jobs for people who design and build schools - everyone from roofing contractors and construction workers to architects and engineers.

By supporting this bill, you have made an important statement regarding the need to help states and local school districts stretch their limited resources, equip America's students to succeed in the 21st century, and encourage schools to become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. We thank you again for your vote and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every child.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 5, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we would like to remind you of our support for the concurrent Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution. We urge you to vote YES on this Budget, which offers a critical downpayment toward meeting the needs of underfunded programs and fulfilling every child's basic right to a great public school. Votes associated with these issues may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

We are pleased that the Budget agreement:

• Provides $8.4 billion above the President's request for Function 500, and includes significant increases for education programs to help students from early childhood through post-secondary education. In doing so, the agreement rejects the President's proposed cuts to Function 500, including the plan to eliminate scores of critical education programs. Instead, the Budget will provide critical resources to proven programs such as Title I, services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Head Start, and Pell Grants.
• Rejects the President's priority requests for new private school voucher program as well as rejecting Senate-proposed assumption for tripling the merit pay Teacher Incentive Fund.
• Rejects the President's cuts to the student loan programs, and includes reserve funds to accommodate legislative changes that make college more affordable. These reserve funds will provide the House and Senate Education Committees maximum flexibility in finding offsets to any new spending as they complete reauthorization of Higher Education Act.
• Repeats last year's inclusion of a reserve intended to protect children currently covered by the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and to serve more of those eligible.
• References a tax credit for school construction bonds as a possible use for a deficit-neutral reserve fund for middle-income tax relief and economic equity as well as in a policy statement on middle-income tax relief.

Again, we urge your support for the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 2, 2008

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA) we would like to express our support for the 21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021).

This important legislation provides $6.4 billion in federal grants to help states and local school districts repair and modernize public schools from coast to coast - essential to equipping America's students to succeed in the global economy of the 21st century. Compliance with the U.S. Green Building Council's standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) would be encouraged. Decision-making would remain at the local level.

Equally important, the legislation would provide an economic stimulus that helps create more than 100,000 new jobs for people who design and build schools - everyone from roofing contractors and construction workers to architects and engineers.

The average American school was built half a century ago. As a result, too many of our children attend overcrowded schools housed in buildings with leaky roofs, faulty electrical systems, and outdated technology. Communities cannot build schools fast enough to accommodate growing student populations.

We thank you for your support of this important legislation to help states and local school districts stretch their limited resources, continue essential education programs, equip America's students to succeed in the 21st century, encourage schools to become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient, and help create more than 100,000 new jobs in construction-related services.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 2, 2008

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA) we urge your support for the 21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021), scheduled for possible floor action this week. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

This important legislation provides $6.4 billion in federal grants to help states and local school districts repair and modernize public schools from coast to coast - essential to equipping America's students to succeed in the global economy of the 21st century. Compliance with the U.S. Green Building Council's standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) would be encouraged. Decision-making would remain at the local level.

Equally important, the legislation would provide an economic stimulus that helps create more than 100,000 new jobs for people who design and build schools - everyone from roofing contractors and construction workers to architects and engineers. (Please see the attached chart showing state by state estimates of funding allocations and jobs created under this bill).

The average American school was built half a century ago. As a result, too many of our children attend overcrowded schools housed in buildings with leaky roofs, faulty electrical systems, and outdated technology. Communities cannot build schools fast enough to accommodate growing student populations.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation will help states and local school districts stretch their limited resources, continue essential education programs, equip America's students to succeed in the 21st century, encourage schools to become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient, and help create more than 100,000 new jobs in construction-related services.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 2, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to support passage of the Public Land Communities Transition Act (H.R. 3058), scheduled for a floor vote June 3rd. This legislation would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act-a program vital to the future viability of many rural schools and communities. This issue is critically important to NEA members across the country. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination program is essential to the survivability of over 800 rural counties and 4,400 schools near national forests in 42 states across the country. It has made a real difference for schools in rural, timber-dependent counties, by ensuring them a consistent funding stream. Since its creation in 2000, the program has been an enormous success. Prior to implementation of this program, schools in forest 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 Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act has expired. Failure to reauthorize and fund it immediately will result in a substantial and devastating funding cut for rural counties across the country. Congress has only a short time to act before counties have to start implementing cuts to schools and services. In fact, a number of counties around the country have already begun sending out pink slips notifying employees of potential lay offs.

Given the urgent need for continuation of this program, we urge you to vote for passage of H.R. 3058.

We thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 29, 2008

Dear Representative Baca:

On behalf of the National Education Association’s (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Teacher Education Assistance Creating Hope (TEACH) for our Future Act (H.R. 6144).  This legislation would make a real difference in ensuring every student a quality teacher, by helping recruit talented students into the teaching profession. 

As you know, spiraling college costs have made it increasingly difficult for many students to afford postsecondary education.  And, far too many of today’s students rely on loans in order to attend college.  The resulting debt burden often limits career choices and prevents many talented students from pursuing careers in public service, including as teachers.

H.R. 6144 would help address this problem by providing $25,000 in loan forgiveness for any teacher who completes five full-time school years at an elementary or secondary school.  We are particularly pleased that your bill would offer such loan forgiveness to all teachers, regardless of where or what they teach.  In so doing, the bill respects the invaluable contributions of all teachers to a well-rounded public education system.

We thank you for your leadership on these important issues and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of our nation's educators.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 30, 2008

Dear Representative Honda: 

On behalf of the National Education Association’s (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Strengthening Communities through English and Integration Act.  We thank you for your leadership in introducing this important legislation, which will make a real difference in enhancing English proficiency for both children and adults.

According to the Census Bureau, over 19 percent of the population (54.8 million) speaks a language other than English at home.  Over the past 15 years, English language learner (ELL) student enrollment has nearly doubled and experts predict that one quarter of the total U.S. public school population will be made up of ELLs by 2025.  ELL students present a growing educational challenge for our public schools.   For example, in the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 29 percent of ELL students scored at or above the basic level of reading, compared with 75 percent of non-ELLs. 

Given this need, we are pleased that your bill will:

• Provide additional investments for programs such as the Even Start Family Literacy Program;
• Enhance recruitment and retention of ELL teachers through a tax credit; and
• Establish a grant program for middle and high schools to provide additional learning time for ELL students. 

We also strongly support provisions that would invest new resources in adult education and literacy and employee training programs.  Increasing adult literacy and fluency in English is critical to helping adults further their education and ensuring their financial stability as well as maximizing the academic success of children in those households.

We thank you again for your work on this issue.  We look forward to continuing to work with you to secure passage of this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 27, 2008

Dear Chairman Miller:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to submit the following comments for the record in conjunction with the recent Workforce Protections Subcommittee Hearing: "ICE Workplace Raids: Their Impact on U.S. Children, Families, and Communities." We thank the Subcommittee for holding a hearing on this important issue.

NEA members have long been concerned about the impact of immigration raids on children and staff in public schools. We have been working closely with our affiliates and other groups to ensure that states and school districts adopt and vigorously enforce policies that protect the right of undocumented immigrant children and the children of undocumented immigrant parents to obtain a free public education in a safe and supportive environment.

Recent enforcement efforts by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) have resulted in the arrest, confinement, and deportation of many undocumented workers. Unfortunately, these raids have created challenges for the children left behind and the public schools they attend. For example:

• The raids have resulted in a significant drop in school attendance. School administrators report that children of parents affected by the raids missed between one-third and one-half of the week following a raid.
• Although attendance increases within two or three weeks, the initial absenteeism can have a long-term negative impact. A longitudinal study conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation indicates that school absence in kindergarten is associated with lower academic performance in first grade among all children, and more significantly for English Language Learners and poor children. The longer term relationship to academic performance depends upon income. Research indicates that chronic absence in kindergarten is associated with low fifth grade achievement for poor children but not their better-off peers.
• Teachers and school officials report that some of the children displayed emotional trauma signs of distress upon their return to school particularly if their parents, relatives, or acquaintance were directly involved in the raid. In such instances, school personnel are reporting difficulty in maintaining the students' attention on class work.

NEA members are working with parents and school administrators to develop systems to help ensure a safe place for children in the event of a raid. We are also working to identify and provide the additional academic and counseling services necessary to address the disruption the children are likely to experience.

NEA supports the Families First Enforcement Act (H.R. 3980) introduced by Congresswoman Solis (D-CA). This legislation will ensure that ICE raids are humane and include protections for children. Specifically, the bill:

• Requires ICE to afford access to state social service agencies to screen and interview detainees;
• Ensures that when possible those who have been detained are within the jurisdiction of the local ICE field office; and
• Addresses humanitarian needs of pregnant women, nursing mothers, caretakers of special needs children and sole caretakers of minor children.

Companion legislation (S. 2074) has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Kerry (D-MA). Neither the House nor Senate Judiciary Committee has taken any action on these bills.

We thank you again for holding a hearing on these very important issues. We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure maximum protection for children impacted by ICE raids.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 21, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049), scheduled for a floor vote this week. This bill includes important provisions that would extend the tax deduction for educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses, the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) school modernization program, and the Child Tax Credit. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

The educator tax deduction helps recognize the financial sacrifices made by teachers and paraprofessionals. Studies show that educators spend more of their own funds each year to supply their classrooms, including purchasing essential items such as pencils, glue, scissors, and facial tissues. For example, NEA's 2003 report Status of the American Public School Teacher, 2000-2001 found that teachers spent an average of $443 a year on classroom supplies. More recently, the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that in 2005-2006, educators spent out of their own pockets an average of $826.00 for supplies and an additional $926 for instructional materials, for a total of $1,752.

The QZAB program has proven to be an efficient and cost-effective way to help disadvantaged communities address pressing renovation and repair needs. QZABs assist school districts in rural and urban communities by providing a financing mechanism to renovate buildings and invest in equipment and technology. Investors receive a federal tax credit equal to the amount of interest payable on the bonds, thereby relieving local taxpayers and municipalities of the interest burden.

The Child Tax Credit provisions would extend the credit to working families who don't earn enough to qualify for the current credit. Many of these are young families, struggling to balance child care and work and who are scraping together a living, while trying simultaneously to make time for their young children.

We urge your support for this important legislation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 22, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to add your name as a cosponsor to the National Healthy Schools Day Resolution (H. Res. 1056).

Every day, 53 million children in grades K-12 and the 6 million adults who serve them enter school buildings to teach, learn and work. And every day, half (57,500) of those very buildings have problems associated with poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ). According to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 50 percent of America's public schools are in need of major repair or renovation. Schools are often sited next to industrial plants or on abandoned landfills. New schools are built beyond safe walking or biking distance for students. In a recent five-state survey, more than 1,100 public schools were built within a half-mile of a toxic waste site. Polluted indoor air, toxic chemical and pesticide use, growing molds, lead in paint and drinking water, and asbestos also impact the health of our nation's students and school staff.

Poor IEQ is linked to a wide range of illnesses including asthma, headaches, upper respiratory infections, and dizziness. In addition, studies show that poor IEQ reduces student and staff performance. In contrast, studies show that energy efficient facilities designed for air quality, good lighting and acoustics, and ease of maintenance are associated with attendance, academic performance, and productivity.

By calling attention to these serious issues, a National Healthy Schools Day will help promote the design and construction of healthy and green schools. To become a cosponsor or if you have any questions please contact Sarah Bittleman (6-8043) in Representative Hooley's office or Aaron Scherb (5-3011) in Representative Matheson's office.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 21, 2008

Dear Representative Kirk:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Green Schools Act (H.R. 6065). This critical legislation will help strengthen public education by creating safer, healthier teaching and learning environments.

Every day, 53 million children in grades K-12 and the 6 million adults who serve them enter school buildings to teach, learn and work. And every day, half (57,500) of those very buildings have problems associated with poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ). According to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 50 percent of America's public schools are in need of major repair or renovation. Schools are often sited next to industrial plants or on abandoned landfills. New schools are built beyond safe walking or biking distance for students. In a recent five-state survey, more than 1,100 public schools were built within a half-mile of a toxic waste site. Polluted indoor air, toxic chemical and pesticide use, growing molds, lead in paint and drinking water, and asbestos also impact the health of our nation's students and school staff.

Poor IEQ is linked to a wide range of illnesses including asthma, headaches, upper respiratory infections, and dizziness. In addition, studies show that poor IEQ reduces student and staff performance. In contrast, studies show that energy efficient facilities designed for air quality, good lighting and acoustics, and ease of maintenance are associated with attendance, academic performance, and productivity.

Deferred maintenance and improper construction and renovation practices (including the use of substandard materials and unskilled labor) play a major role in the prevalence of unhealthy schools. Unfortunately, school districts faced with the need to renovate or repair a school facility often proceed based solely on the lowest cost estimate (using low-bid labor and materials), rather than taking into account the need to improve IEQ.

By creating a grant program for green school construction and improvements and reauthorizing the Qualified Zone Academy Bond Program, H.R. 6065 will ensure that school districts have the assistance they need to provide every student the safest, healthiest learning environment. We thank you for your leadership on this important issue and we look forward to continuing to work with you to fulfill every child's basic right to a great public school.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 22, 2008

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we want to remind you of the critical importance of the portions of the 2008 supplemental appropriations bill that deal with domestic spending. NEA members across the country are deeply concerned about these issues and are watching congressional actions closely. Votes associated with this legislation may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

We strongly support provisions that would:

• Delay pending Medicaid regulations that threaten the provision of school-based health care for low-income children and children with disabilities. More than half the states are contemplating cuts in critical services, including health care and education. The deteriorating economy and consequent drop in revenues leaves them no choice - by law, the states must balance their budgets. Congress must recognize the impact these Medicaid regulations would have on the states and provide much-needed relief .
• Extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. This program expired at the end of 2006 and was extended for a year by the 2007 emergency supplemental appropriations bill. Failure to support the program at this juncture will have a devastating effect on students and educators in 4,400 rural school districts in 42 states .
• Extend unemployment insurance benefits . Extending unemployment benefits will provide an immediate boost for the economy and help struggling families get back on their feet.
• Expand education benefits for veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan . Veterans of these conflicts deserve the same respect as veterans of World War II. Expanded education benefits are an appropriate way to recognize their service and equip them to succeed as they re-enter civilian society.

We, and our members, would be deeply disappointed if these provisions are not included in the final bill.
 
 
Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 21, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we urge your support for the concurrent Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution. We believe this Budget offers a critical downpayment toward meeting the needs of underfunded programs and fulfilling every child's basic right to a great public school. Votes associated with these issues may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

We are pleased that the Budget agreement:

• Provides $8.4 billion above the President's request for Function 500, and includes significant increases for education programs to help students from early childhood through post-secondary education. In doing so, the agreement rejects the President's proposed cuts to Function 500, including the plan to eliminate scores of critical education programs. Instead, the Budget will provide critical resources to proven programs such as Title I, services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Head Start, and Pell Grants.
• Rejects the President's priority requests for new private school voucher program as well as rejecting Senate-proposed assumption for tripling the merit pay Teacher Incentive Fund.
• Rejects the President's cuts to the student loan programs, and includes reserve funds to accommodate legislative changes that make college more affordable. These reserve funds will provide the House and Senate Education Committees maximum flexibility in finding offsets to any new spending as they complete reauthorization of Higher Education Act.
• Repeats last year's inclusion of a reserve intended to protect children currently covered by the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and to serve more of those eligible .
• References a tax credit for school construction bonds as a possible use for a deficit-neutral reserve fund for middle-income tax relief and economic equity as well as in a policy statement on middle-income tax relief.

Again, we urge your support for the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 15, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to provide veterans' benefits for Filipinos who served alongside U.S. troops during World War II, as the Senate did when it passed the Disabled Veterans Insurance Improvement Act (S. 1315) by a vote of 96-1 on April 24, 2008.

President Roosevelt called more than 200,000 Filipino soldiers into service under U.S. command during World War II, when the Philippines was still a U.S. territory. These soldiers served with honor as U.S. nationals during the war, but the 1946 Rescission Act revoked their eligibility for veterans' benefits. Today, many live in poverty and are dependent on food stamps, Medicaid or Social Security disability benefits. Filipino veterans should not have to rely on such programs; they deserve the same benefits as other World War II veterans

We urge you to provide veterans' benefits for Filipinos who served during World War II when the House takes up its version of S. 1315.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 15, 2008

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we urge you to support the Save Medicare Act of 2008 (S.2785), introduced by Senator Stabenow (D-MI), to ensure that Medicare-eligible educators continue to have access to essential health care.

Unless Congress acts, Medicare reimbursements will decline by 10.6 percent on July 1, 2008, and by another 5.4 percent on January 1, 2009 - cuts that threaten to shrink further the already shrunken ranks of physicians willing to accept Medicare patients. Nearly half the medical groups that participate in Medicare are accepting fewer Medicare patients or have stopped accepting them altogether, according to a recent survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association.

Many physicians turn away Medicare patients because reimbursement rates for some services are so low they do not cover the cost of providing them. As a result, some physicians are considering steps that could compromise the quality of care - laying off staff or postponing purchases of needed technology - or contemplating early retirement.

Declining Medicare reimbursement rates bode ill for the future of health care in America. State medical societies estimate that by 2020, when the U.S. population will be 24 percent larger than it is now, our nation could have up to 200,000 fewer physicians than we need. Primary care physicians, who are paid less than specialists, will be in especially short supply. With more equitable reimbursement, more of today's medical students might become primary care physicians, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.

We urge you to support S. 2785 to encourage physicians to continue accepting Medicare patients and related legislation to increase the supply of primary care physicians.
 
 
Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 7, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we urge you to support and cosponsor the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021).

This important legislation will help states and local school districts repair and modernize public schools - essential to equipping America's students to succeed in the global economy of the 21st century. It encourages compliance with the U.S. Green Building Council's standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and keeps decision-making at the local level. Equally important, it will provide an economic stimulus that helps create more than 100,000 new jobs for people who design and build schools - everyone from roofing contractors and construction workers to architects and engineers.

The average American school was built half a century ago. As a result, too many of our children attend overcrowded schools housed in buildings with leaky roofs, faulty electrical systems, and outdated technology. Communities cannot build schools fast enough to accommodate growing student populations.

We urge you to support and cosponsor H.R. 3021 to stretch the limited resources of state and local school districts, continue essential education programs, equip America's students to succeed in the 21st century, encourage schools to become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient, and help create more than 100,000 new jobs in construction-related services.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 15, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to support the amendment to the 2008 supplemental appropriations bill that deals with domestic spending. Votes associated with this legislation may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Specifically, we urge you to support the portions of the amendment that:

• Extend unemployment insurance.
• Provide expanded education benefits for veterans.
• Place a one-year moratorium on pending Medicaid regulations as provided by the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Act (H.R. 5613), which the House passed by a vote of 349-62 on April 23, 2008.

The pending Medicaid regulations threaten the provision of education and other critical services, including health care for the most vulnerable among us: low-income children and children with disabilities. By the end of this fiscal year, more than half the states will be in the red and contemplating cuts in essential services. Deteriorating economic conditions and the consequent drop in state and local revenues leave them no choice. Unlike the federal government, the states must balance their budgets. We are encouraged that Congress has recognized the impact these Medicaid regulations would have on the states and proposed much-needed relief.

At the same time, we are deeply disappointed that the supplemental appropriations bill does not extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, which expired at the end of 2006 and was included in the 2007 supplemental appropriations bill. Failure to support this program will have a devastating effect on students and educators in 4,400 rural school districts in 42 states. We will continue our efforts to address this important priority in the final bill, and look forward to working with you to achieve that goal.

We urge you to reauthorize and fund the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act and to support the domestic spending amendment to the 2008 supplemental appropriations bill.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

May 15, 2008

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, as part of the fiscal year 2008 emergency supplemental appropriations bill, we urge you to:

• Delay pending Medicaid regulations that threaten the provision of school-based health care for low-income children and children with disabilities. More than half the states are contemplating cuts in critical services, including health care and education. The deteriorating economy and consequent drop in revenues leaves them no choice-by law, the states must balance their budgets. We are encouraged that Congress has recognized the impact these Medicaid regulations would have on the states and proposed much-needed relief.
• Extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. This program expired at the end of 2006 and was extended for a year by the 2007 emergency supplemental appropriations bill. Failure to support the program at this juncture will have a devastating effect on students and educators in 4,400 rural school districts in 42 states.
• Extend unemployment insurance benefits. Extending unemployment benefits will provide an immediate boost for the economy and help struggling families get back on their feet.
• Expand education benefits for veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans of these conflicts deserve the same respect as veterans of World War II. Expanded education benefits are an appropriate way to recognize their service and equip them to succeed as they re-enter civilian society.

We look forward to working with you to achieve these goals.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

April 28, 2008

Dear Chairman Obey,

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we urge you to include in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Act for four years. This legislation was part of the Senate energy tax package and is a critical issue for NEA.

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act expired at the end of 2006 and is currently operating on a one-year extension, which was authorized in Public Law 110-28, the Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007. Failure to reauthorize and fund this program will result in a substantial and devastating funding cut for more than 600 rural counties and 4,400 school districts in 42 states.    

We thank you for your hard work and continued support for this issue.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

April 28, 2008

Dear Senator:

SUPPORT MEDICAID RULES MORATORIUM

On behalf of the National Education Association’s (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to support H.R. 5613, Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008. Votes associated with this bill may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Medicaid is the single largest component of state spending – nearly one-fifth of general fund expenditures. Unlike the federal government, states must balance their budgets. Consequently, when declining revenues lead to budgetary shortfalls, they must pare even essential services such as education and health care. By the end of this fiscal year, more than half the states will be in the red and contemplating such cuts due to deteriorating economic conditions and the consequent drop in state and local revenues available for public education and other essential services.

H.R. 5613 would place a one-year moratorium on Administration-backed regulatory changes in the Medicaid program, some of which threaten the provision of essential health services to the most vulnerable among us: low-income children and children with disabilities. Since 1986, federal Medicaid policy has explicitly recognized the link between Medicaid and healthcare for low-income children, including management of – and access to – treatment in school settings. Cutting Medicaid payments to schools would jeopardize the ability of students to receive needed school-based healthcare and could force students to remain at home rather than attending school. The proposed changes also threaten the ability of schools to use Medicaid administrative funds for outreach to enroll Medicaid-eligible children.

The House passed H.R. 5613 by a vote of 349-62 on April 23, 2008. Now, the ball is in the Senate’s court. Please vote to close debate, then to pass the bill and send it to the President to sign into law.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

April 28, 2008

Dear Chairman Miller and Members of the Committee:

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA) we urge you to support the 21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021) and the Loebsack-Kildee Education and Labor Committee substitute to fulfill the goals of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

This important legislation provides $6.4 billion in federal grants to help states and local school districts repair and modernize public schools from coast to coast – essential to equipping America’s students to succeed in the global economy of the 21st century. Compliance with the U.S. Green Building Council’s standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) would be encouraged. Decision-making would remain at the local level.

Equally important, the legislation would provide an economic stimulus that helps create more than 100,000 new jobs for people who design and build schools – everyone from roofing contractors and construction workers to architects and engineers.

The average American school was built half a century ago. As a result, too many of our children attend overcrowded schools housed in buildings with leaky roofs, faulty electrical systems, and outdated technology. Communities cannot build schools fast enough to accommodate growing student populations.

We urge you to support this important legislation to help states and local school districts stretch their limited resources, continue essential education programs, equip America’s students to succeed in the 21^st century, encourage schools to become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient, and help create more than 100,000 new jobs in construction-related services.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

April 29, 2008

Dear Chairman Kennedy and Chairman Miller:

On behalf of the more than four million members of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), including 300,000 higher education professionals working in our nation’s colleges and universities, we would like to take another opportunity to address our joint top priorities, especially as the April 30th extension deadline nears.  As we have indicated throughout this process, we have specific interests and concerns that we strongly urge you to address in a final conference agreement. 

Academic freedom and federal non-intervention in academic decision-making at the institutional level are two fundamental tenets of the U.S. system of higher education and federal higher education policy. The AFT and NEA remain strongly opposed to Section 104 of S. 1642, the “Protection of Student Speech and Association Rights.”  We urge you to exclude it from a final conference agreement.

We believe Section 104 still can be interpreted to mean that the federal government should establish standards and monitor activity to ensure that student rights are protected on campus. The original version of this provision came out of a political and ideological movement that has portrayed professors around the country as indoctrinating, rather than teaching, their students and punishing those who differ with them. This is simply untrue. The AFT and NEA support the free exchange of ideas on campus and non-intervention by the federal government in matters of curriculum, teaching and grading. We prefer the approach taken in the House bill, which keeps the government out of academic affairs entirely.

Title II offers an opportunity to improve teacher quality by providing resources to schools of education so they can refine current teacher preparation programs in an effort to ensure that prospective teaching candidates are properly trained for the classroom.  Since various places in Title II deal with compensation and staffing issues, we urge that a construction clause that protects collective bargaining be added to cover the entire title. The AFT and NEA recommend the final conference bill should contain Sec. 200A of H.R. 4136 (on page 118, lines 21-25 – page 119, lines 1-6),  the “Rule of Construction” clause..

In addition, we have made our positions on performance–based and merit pay clear to both Committees. The AFT and NEA strongly believe that compensation is a mandatory matter of collective bargaining subject to state and local, not federal, law. Therefore, the AFT and NEA make the following recommendation:  Strike (2)(E)(iii) on page 103, lines 8-11 of the S. 1642 and replace it with language from H.R. 4137, page 141, lines 10-15. It should read:

“(iii) with respect to a mentor, a stipend, which may include bonus, differential or incentive pay, based on their extra skills and responsibilities.”

Thank you for considering our priorities as you prepare a House-Senate conference agreement.  If you have any questions about these or other issues in the legislation, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Kristor W. Cowan, Director of AFT Legislative Department

April 28, 2008

Dear Representative Altmire:

On behalf of the National Education Association’s (NEA) 3.2 million members, we convey our support for your bill, the Educational Advisor and Contractor Integrity Act (H.R. 3718), which would strengthen the integrity of programs implemented under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

We are pleased that this legislation is designed to address and prevent conflicts of interest associated with the U.S. Department of Education’s advisory committees and contractors who provide technical assistance. In particular, we applaud the provisions of the bill that require continual monitoring by the Department to ensure that providers of technical assistance implement appropriate conflict-of-interest policies and procedures.

A year ago, the House Committee on Education and Labor held a hearing to address conflicts of interest in the Reading First program. The hearing highlighted the critical need for closer scrutiny of potential contractors to address – and prevent – conflicts of interest in the administration of ESEA programs. Your bill would do just that.

We thank you for your attention to this important issue and your leadership in advancing this legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

April 29, 2008

Dear Representative:

END THE DC VOUCHER EXPERIMENT

On behalf of the National Education Association’s (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to reject President Bush’s proposal to extend the District of Columbia’s so-called “Opportunity Scholarship Program.”

A five-year voucher experiment established by Congress in 2004, the program is scheduled to end September 30, 2008, with good reason: it has yielded no evidence of a positive impact on student achievement, is poorly administered, and diverts $14 million from struggling public schools.

A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, issued in November 2007, found that administrative and accountability problems pervade the DC voucher program, undermining fiscal and operational integrity. GAO found, for example, that the program supports private schools that do not charge tuition and schools that use unqualified teachers – some do not have even bachelor’s degrees. (The complete GAO report, “District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program: Additional Policies and Procedures Would Improve Internal Controls and Program Operations,”  is available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d089.pdf.)

All DC children deserve to go to a great public school. We urge you to allow the DC voucher program end this fall as planned. Our nation’s capital needs real education reform – not vouchers – to ensure that no child gets left behind.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

April 22, 2008

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the National Education Association’s (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to support the Fair Pay Restoration Act (S. 1843), which is scheduled to come to the floor for a vote tomorrow afternoon. Votes associated with this bill may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

This important legislation reaffirms civil rights threatened by a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Ledbetter v. Goodyear. A 5-4 decision authored by Justice Samuel Alito, this ruling makes it virtually impossible for women facing pay discrimination to take legal action against their employers. It also threatens justice for anyone discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or age.

The House has already passed a companion bill, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (H.R. 2831). Now, the ball is in the Senate’s court. Please vote to close debate on S. 1843, then vote for passage and make this bill a law.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

April 22, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to support H.R. 5613, "Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008." The bill would place a one-year moratorium on Administration-backed regulatory changes in the Medicaid program that threaten the provision of healthcare to the most vulnerable among us: low-income children and families, and children with disabilities. It could also help forestall cutbacks precipitated by deteriorating economic conditions and the consequent drop in state and local revenues available for public education and other essential services.

Medicaid is the single largest component of state spending -- nearly one-fifth of general fund expenditures. Unlike the federal government, states must balance their budgets. Consequently, when declining revenues lead to budgetary shortfalls, they must pare even undeniably essential services such as education and healthcare. By the end of this fiscal year, more than half the states will be in the red and contemplating such cuts.

This important legislation provides temporary, targeted and timely state fiscal relief. We urge you to support H.R. 5613, so the most vulnerable among us can continue to receive healthcare and other essential services in these trying economic times.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

April 16, 2008

John Wright, a classroom teacher for more than 20 years and president of the Arizona Education Association, was to testify at a hearing today titled, “Fiscal Year 2009 Education Appropriations: Improving Teacher Quality.” Although the hearing was canceled, we have submitted his testimony  for the record. A brief summary follows.

Research shows that teacher quality is the single most important factor in student success. What constitutes quality? According to the nonpartisan National Commission on Teaching Quality, three factors are critical:

• Subject matter expertise.
• Knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop.
• A wide range of teaching st