[NLA] Clarification: Giving the NIFL funding back....

[KSmith1@aol.com]

David,

Thanks for the clarification.   This is my opinion.

You are correct, Andy was quite explicit that NIfL successfully fought for 
the $5M to be administered by NIfL rather than DOE to support the vision 
he/they and most of us have for a more seamless literacy effort.  What so 
impressed me about Andy's proposal is his conclusion that this tactic is not 
working.  

It is my hope that a grass roots effort to indicate our willingness to let 
DOE administer this money will get the attention of those in the Congress, 
the Administration and the agency.  I am quite certain that Ms. D'Amico, Ms. 
Keenan and Ms. Baxter will/can NOT agree with the approach.   

What if it happened?  Then there would be a new NIfL board with a predominant 
K-12 background with sole mandate and funding under WIA Title II.  The board 
would/should be limited to this function.  So even though we didn't persuade 
anyone that there should be some adult education representation on the board, 
we could influence and limit their work via this tactic.  

Honestly, I don't think it'll ever come to letting DOE administer the funds.  
Compromise is the name of the game in DC.  First, we have to get some power 
and position, that's why we seriously offer to let these funds go.  When they 
balk, we have a proposal ready to gain on the things we want (ie. board 
members, distinct deputy directors, a cradle-to- grave mission or as Andy 
puts it, a balance).  We need to be ready for the compromise.  

So, we tell Congress we want the money out of NIfL and get some serious 
support for this position.  The administration responds that's not what we 
want.  That creates the opportunity for compromise that we've not been able 
to develop heretofore.  Then we negotiate some of the things on our wish list 
(yet to be developed - Gail's, Tom's and other responses contain elements).  
I don't know how much value will be create to trade. 

Worst case scenario, they accept our proposal to relinquish the money and 
NIfL dissipates or becomes K-12 dominant.  Seems to me that we are already 
facing this fate.  So I don't think we have much to lose.  

By writing this, I may already be reducing the value of our hand because the 
adminsitration and DOE may view it as a bluff.  It cannot be a bluff - we 
need to be willing to give the $5M up to give this tactic as much strength as 
possible.

Kevin Smith
LVA-NYS
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