ACTE Legislative Alert: Contact Congress to Support Peterson Amendment

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July 9, 2007

On July 11, the House Appropriations Committee will vote on its version of the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. It is very important that all ACTE members contact Representatives serving on the Appropriations Committee to encourage support for the amendment that will be offered by Congressman Peterson (R-PA) to provide an increase to the Perkins Act.

The House Subcommittee currently funds Perkins at $1.302 billion, which is a slight cut from FY 2007 funding ($1.304 billion). Rep. Peterson’s amendment will offer a $50 million dollar increase. Without this increase, the Perkins Act will suffer a cut and therefore put a strain on resources. While it is has not been announced where the additional resources to provide the $50 million increase will come from, this is likely the only chance for a Perkins increase this year. It is imperative that you contact your Representative and strongly encourage support for Rep. Peterson’s amendment.

ACTION NEEDED:

If your Member of Congress is on the House Appropriations Committee call his or her office and strongly encourage support for the Peterson amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill that would increase funding for the Perkins Act.
Tell your Member of Congress (Appropriator or not) that even though CTE enrollment rates and costs of delivering services have increased substantially since the late ‘90s, the program is currently funded at less than FY 2002 levels.
Tell your Member of Congress that the career and technical education programs funded by Perkins provide effective and proven links to skills-building opportunities and improved employment outcomes; that employers in your community continue to need well-trained workers with good skills; and that CTE serves many in your community (be specific).
Thank your Member of Congress for supporting Perkins in the past.

For more information on the federal budget and appropriations process, including state specific information and talking points, please click here.