[AAACE-NLA] State Budget Advocacy

[Jeff Carter]

Thanks Bob,

I absolutely agree with that strategy. However, while the vision for what is really needed has never disappeared from our messaging, it's just not been on the table in any realistic sense over the last several fiscal years, as we've had to really focus on holding the line on cuts. 

But yes, I agree that this is the right way to approach policymakers when talking about funding increases. What I'm most interested in is whether people are finding openings to have those conversations again, and how they are doing it. Or are most advocates still being forced to focus on preventing more cuts? As I said, advocates from other sectors here in the city are planning on being more aggressive this year about funding increases, but tactically, I'm wondering about how to have these conversations again when most public officials, starting with the Mayor's office, are very clearly signaling that they still see themselves operating in crisis mode. And the District's latest revenue projections support their contention.

Jeff

 On Mar 15, 2012, at 6:09 AM, Bickerton, Robert P (DOE) wrote:

> Jeff, et al,
>  
> Unless the prior levels of funding were sufficient to meet the need for ABE (literacy, ASE + ESOL), I would recommend against making "level funding" or "restore funding" the target.  Make a strong case for what you need and establish a "first installment target" that represents a strong step in that direction; that number should be at least equal to restoration and probably a bit more.  The ensuing discussion will likely dwell on "level" and "restore," but at least you will be laying the foundation for future years of advocacy based upon what's really needed and not giving policy leaders an easier out, re, "we already took care of ABE."
>  
> Good luck - and take care,
> Bob Bickerton, MA
> 
> From: aaace-nla-bounces at lists.literacytent.org on behalf of Jeff Carter
> Sent: Wed 3/14/2012 8:51 AM
> To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE
> Subject: [AAACE-NLA] State Budget Advocacy
> 
> Hi everyone (and apologies for cross-posting),
> 
> I was at the Pennsylvania Association for Adult and Continuing Education (PAACE) Annual Conference earlier this week to share some of the work we have done on budget advocacy in the District of Columbia. I was interested to learn that Pennsylvania advocates are trying to restore some of the funding that has been cut the last several years for adult education in PA.
> 
> In D.C., I went into our budget season thinking more in terms of simply holding the line at level funding, but was persuaded by D.C. LEARNs members and other advocates that we should be asking for a restoration of funds, not just level funding from last year's budget.
> 
> I'm wondering if anyone knows of other states where advocates are pushing for restoration of funding that was lost in recent years. Maybe we could share our strategies and approaches. I learned a lot from hearing about the efforts underway in Pennsylvania.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jeff
> 
> Jeff Carter
> -----------
> President, D.C. LEARNs
> Washington D.C.'s Literacy Coalition
> www.dclearns.org | Twitter: @DCLEARNs
> 
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