New Welfare Rules To Be Released
The Associated Press has reported that new welfare rules are scheduled to be released soon. These new rules may make it easier for individuals to engage in education and training while receiving benefits.
One reported change in the new rule is the elimination of the requirement that homework must be supervised to count as work. The rule is also expected to expand the types of education and training students can pursue to include basic skills education, English as a Second Language education, baccalaureate and advanced degree programs, or distance education. Unfortunately, significant barriers still remain to increasing the education and training available to welfare recipients, including the 12-month cap on participation.
The final rule is expected to be posted in the Federal Register within the next week, and more information on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program can be found on ACTE’s Web site.
President Bush Delivers State of the Union
President Bush delivered his final State of the Union address on January 28. While the speech only included brief mentions of education, the President did take time to ask Congress to complete the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. He also proposed a new $300 million private school voucher program called Pell Grants for Kids. According to White House policy documents released in conjunction with the State of the Union, “Pell Grants for Kids would offer scholarships to low-income children in underperforming elementary and secondary schools, including high schools with significant dropout rates. These scholarships would help with the costs of attending an out-of-district public school or nearby private or faith-based school.”
While not directly related to education policy, the President also made several budget-related comments that could affect education funding. The President promised to veto any appropriations bill that does not cut the number and cost of earmarks in half from this year’s levels. While some earmarks draw a great deal of negative attention, many CTE programs have benefited from earmarks in recent years, for projects such as training programs in high-growth industries. This veto threat could reduce the ability of Members of Congress to secure funding for new or innovative programs in their districts.
President Bush also said that his upcoming budget proposal, due to be released on February 4, “terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or bloated programs, totaling more than $18 billion.” Similar statements have been made in prior State of the Union addresses, and the list of eliminated programs has included a large number of education programs, such as the Perkins Act, in the past. ACTE will alert you as soon as the budget proposal is released and provide you with details on proposed program funding levels.
Senate Confirms New Secretary of Agriculture
On January 28, the Senate confirmed Ed Shafer, former North Dakota Governor, as the new Secretary of Agriculture. Secretary Shafer was sworn in just in time to attend that evening’s State of the Union address in his new Cabinet role.
Secretary Shafer served as Governor of North Dakota from 1992-2000. During this time, advancing agriculture was one of his top priorities, and he encouraged the growth of value-added agricultural industries such as pasta and corn sweetener manufacturing. He also led numerous initiatives, in areas like telecommunications and healthcare, to upgrade the quality of life and productivity in rural areas.
As chair of the Republican Governors Association in 2000, Secretary Shafer co-founded and co-chaired the Governors Biotechnology Partnership to increase public understanding and support for the benefits of agricultural biotechnology. He has also had a lifelong interest in conservation.
