[AAACE-NLA] News from the States

[David Rosen]

Dear state level adult and family literacy advocate,

A FY 05 budget in most states has now been approved, and adult literacy 
advocates now know what their state funding is for July-2004-June, 2005.

How did your state do? Were there gains, losses, or was there level 
funding?  Were there new advocacy efforts or strategies? If so, what 
did you do and what happened as a result?  This information is very 
useful for state level advocacy colleagues across the country.  It 
would be best to post this directly to the list but, if you are 
uncomfortable doing this, e-mail it to me privately and I can post it 
for you anonymously.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts we saw level funding of our state Department of 
Education adult basic education line item, and we appear to have 
another $1 million or so for community-based organizations to provide 
adult literacy/basic skills and job skills training through the State 
Department of Labor.  Our Governor, for the first time, showed interest 
in adult literacy education. In a supplemental budget -- which did not 
pass -- the Governor proposed an unprecedented 50% increase in adult 
basic education public funding for one year.  When the state 
legislature does pass a supplemental budget, it might include  more 
funds for adult education and literacy, and if so, the Governor is 
unlikely to veto this.  In any case the Governor's interest could 
signal a new bi-partisan interest in adult basic education.

Please let us hear what the news is from *your* state.

David J. Rosen
Adult Literacy Advocate
djrosen at comcast.net