[AAACE-NLA] Urgent: Your action needed now

[David Rosen]

Colleagues,

Please read this important Advocacy Blog Action Alert below from the National Coalition for Literacy. "Tell Congress: Do Not Include HS Diploma GED Requirement in Unemployment Insurance Extension". The deadline for acting is January 24th. Please contact your Members of Congress now.

David J. Rosen
Adult Literacy Advocate
djrosen123 at gmail.com


Congress will soon continue its debate on the extension of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits—but it may include a provision that’s alarming Americans nationwide.

House Republicans are expected to once again push for a condition that would “…deny UI benefits to any worker who lacks a high school diploma or GED and is not enrolled in classes to get one or the other—regardless of how long the person worked or whether he or she has access to adult education,” according to a recent report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). House Republicans plan to push their UI extension agenda in time for the President’s State of the Union address, according to CQ’s Roll Call.

Adult educators understand the necessity of an education—it helps adults get and keep jobs with family sustaining wages and lead richer, fuller lives. But what is not acceptable is to demand that those who have effectively contributed to the system for years through the payment of UI taxes —and who then were laid off due to no fault of their own—be denied UI on the basis of their education level. It is at best, mean-spirited and at worst, unjust.

Unlike other policies that open doors to adult education in order to boost education levels and help individuals attain self-sufficiency, this provision also offers no funding to assist unemployed workers to obtain a GED credential. As such, this requirement is an unfunded mandate on an already overburdened system.

If this proposed provision were in the best interests of adults and families, additional funding and much needed supports would be put into place simultaneously focused on opening the doors to more adult education programs. As it stands, this UI provision would be the wrong policy needed at a time when we really should be trying to do all that we can to help adults get back to work. Its intent is punitive and goes against meaningful adult education reform. We need your help to turn this around!

Contact Your Members of Congress:

Deadline: Tuesday, January 24, 2012

By Phone or Email
	• Call or write your U.S. Representative and Senators today. (Take action through NCL's Facebook page for greater impact.)
	• Ask them to Say No to requiring a HS diploma or GED in any unemployment insurance extension for 2012.
	• Use 1-2 of the suggested talking points and speak from your experience. Share local waiting list data, if applicable.
Post on Your U.S. Representative’s and Senators’ Facebook Walls

Via Facebook:
	• Go to your House Member's Facebook page and click the ‘Like’ button at the top.
	• Then post this message to his or her wall: "Please say no to any UI extension plan that includes a HS diploma or GED requirement in order to maintain unemployment insurance benefits.”
Tweet to Your Members of Congress

Via Twitter:
	• Search to see if your U.S. Representative and Senators are on Twitter. Follow them.
	• Then send a tweet like this, using the #FairUI hashtag:
(@insert your House Member's or Senator’s Twitter handle) Please say no to any UI extension plan that includes a HS diploma or #GED requirement in order to maintain benefits. #FairUI

For example:

@repsandylevin Please say no to any UI extension plan that includes a HS diploma or #GED requirement in order to maintain benefits. #FairUI 

Blog About It!

Cross post this blog posting on your blog, with a cross link back to the National Coalition for Literacy as the source. Or adapt it to fit your circumstance. Add your program or community data about adult education and make it your own.

Stay Involved

Learn more about social media strategies and tips. Visit our Connect Page for more information.

Sign up to receive future email alerts or text messages from the National Coalition for Literacy about actions needed for adult education and family literacy.

Teach Congress about the needs of undereducated workers and of the adult education and literacy system. Call Congress today! And pass this email on to those who you think may be interested.

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