[GLC] Federal Funding Update

[Ira Yankwitt]

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday afternoon, the Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies approved an
appropriations bill that level funds adult literacy for FY 06.  This is
another big victory in our struggle to preserve federal funding, and
another tribute to our field's advocacy efforts nationwide.  The full
Appropriations Committee will take up the bill tomorrow.

Unfortunately, this same bill zeroes out funding for Even Start.  This does
not mean that Even Start will not receive funding for next year, but it
does mean that Even Start advocates will need to be steadfast in the weeks
to come.  For more information on Even Start funding, and strategies for
advocates, please see the email from Art Ellison below.

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(From Art Ellison) 

The Appropriations bill approved today by the Senate Appropriations
Sub-Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related
Agencies contains no funding for Even Start. The House approved
appropriation for the program is $200 million. 

At this point there are two strategies that should be pursued. Hopefully a
Senator who is not on the Appropriations Committee can be convinced to
offer an amendment to the Appropriations bill on the floor of the Senate.
Senate debate on the bill will probably take place sometime in July, before
the month long August recess. If the final Senate Appropriations bill does
not contain any money for Even Start an effort should be undertaken to have
the conference committee on appropriations accept the House position of
$200 million. This was the process that took place last year when the House
approved $220 million, the Senate $0 and the conference committee accepted
the House figure. We will keep you posted.   


Ira Yankwitt, Director
Professional Development / 
NYC Regional Adult Education Network 
Literacy Assistance Center
32 Broadway, 10th Floor
NY, NY 10004
(212) 803-3356
iray at lacnyc.org