[NLA] Urgent: Act Now to Prevent Cut in Federal Adult Ed Funding

[Kenneth Tamarkin]

RE: [NLA] Urgent: Act Now to Prevent Cut in Federal Adult Ed FundingI believe that it is very important for progressive legislators to hear that they are not out there all alone with their progressive views. They also need to hear that there is support and a constituency for maintaining Adult Ed funding.

Kenny Tamarkin
Northeast SABES
Lawrence, MA
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Carl Guerriere 
  To: nla at lists.literacytent.org 
  Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 2:30 PM
  Subject: RE: [NLA] Urgent: Act Now to Prevent Cut in Federal Adult Ed Funding


  I understand that no congressperson should be left out, but shouldn't we be focusing on the republicans? 
  Our democratic congresspeople in Connecticut are with us.  It's the republicans that need to hear from their constituencies.  Votes are pretty much going down party lines, no?

  Carl Guerriere 
  Executive Director/Literacy Advocate 
  Greater Hartford Literacy Council 
  99 Pratt Street 
  Hartford, CT  06103 
  (860) 522-7323 (522-READ) NEW NUMBER! 
  www.greaterhartfordreads.org 
  Fax: (860) 722-2486 



  -----Original Message----- 
  From: nla-admin at lists.literacytent.org 
  [mailto:nla-admin at lists.literacytent.org]On Behalf Of Jon Randall 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 9:27 AM 
  To: NLA Listserv (E-mail) 
  Subject: [NLA] Urgent: Act Now to Prevent Cut in Federal Adult Ed 
  Funding 



  SUMMARY 

  Adult education funding levels for FY'03 may be decided in 
  the next two weeks. The Senate bill cuts adult education 
  funding by 2.9%. The House bill maintains the same level of 
  funding as last year. This week we must ask our 
  Congresspersons and Senators to urge House-Senate conferees 
  to preserve, if not increase adult education funding. 

  ACTION NEEDED 

  1. Fax a letter to your Congressperson and to each of your 
  Senators. 
  2. The very next day, call the offices of your 
  Congressperson and both Senators. Ask the education staffer 
  in each office if their boss will contact the Appropriations 
  Committee on this matter. 
  3. Urge others in your program to fax letters and make 
  follow-up phone calls too. 

  TIMING 

  We have little more than one week to stave off a cut in 
  adult education funding. Republicans controlling the House 
  and Senate seek to finish work on the omnibus appropriations 
  bill by the State of the Union address next Tuesday. This 
  deadline is quite ambitious but we can't take the chance it 
  will be met. We must weigh in strongly this week and next. 

  BACKGROUND 

  Before it adjourned last year, the 107th Congress did not 
  pass a number of appropriations bills for FY'03, the year 
  that began on 10/1/2002. It did pass a series of continuing 
  resolutions to keep the federal government running until the 
  new Congress passes an omnibus appropriations bill - rolling 
  all the FY'03 spending bills into one gigantic bill. 

  In the 108th Congress, which convened two weeks ago, the 
  House introduced a bill HR 246. It mirrors the President's 
  budget request somewhat and level funds adult education 
  state grants, national leadership activities and NIFL (no 
  increase over FY'02). The Senate's bill, HJ Resolution 2 
  provides a 2.9% cut for adult education and many other 
  programs. This across-the-board cut partially pays for 
  increases totaling $5 billion for No Child Left Behind, 
  Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, and Pell 
  Grants. 

  Staff is working feverishly NOW to iron out the differences 
  between House and Senate bills. House and Senate conferees 
  may meet next week to conclude work on a compromise. 

  SAMPLE LETTER 

  The Honorable <Senator or Congressperson's full name> 
  United States Senate or U.S. House of Representatives 
  Washington, DC 20510 or 20515 

  Dear Senator or Mr./Ms. <Senator or Congressperson's last 
  name> 

  I am very concerned that funding for adult education state 
  grants may be threatened in the soon to be concluded 
  negotiations for the omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal 
  year 2003. Urgently, please ask appropriators to protect 
  funding for adult education. 

  Adult education produces beneficial effects in many policy 
  areas: family support and school reform; English language 
  instruction and citizenship; credentialing and further 
  education; crime and recidivism; public health; employment; 
  and welfare. For example, here in <name of your community>, 
  <briefly describe how adult education has benefited your 
  community in one of the policy areas above.> 

  In adult education nationally, we make do with less than 
  $600 in federal and state funding per enrollee, as compared 
  to $7,500 per enrollee in K-12 and $16,000 per enrollee in 
  higher education. At this level, even small cuts have a 
  profound effect on a program like ours. Please help to 
  protect funding for adult education. 

  Sincerely, 

  FAX NUMBERS 

  To obtain the fax number for your two Senators, please check 
  the following web site: <http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/> 

  If a fax number is not listed, you will need to call their 
  office and indicate that you are a constituent who wants to 
  fax a short letter. 

  #   #   # 



  Jon Randall 
  Public Policy Committee Chair 
  National Coalition for Literacy 
  www.natcoalitionliteracy.org 

  ProLiteracy Worldwide continues to underwrite 
  the coordination of NCL policy efforts 
  www.proliteracy.org 

  FedStrategics, LLC 
  8413 Park Crest Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910 
  Tel: (301) 588-5304   Fax: (301) 588-5353 
  jrandall at FedStrategics.com 




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