November 2, 2007

Yesterday, Nov. 1, the House and Senate finalized conference negotiations on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations (H.R. 3043) bill. In this bill, Congress has agreed to provide the Perkins Basic State Grant with the $25 million increase that was provided in the earlier House-passed bill. This is fantastic news for the career and technical education (CTE) community! However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done before the increase is signed into law.

The President has stated that he will veto almost all appropriations bills, which collectively supersede his initial budget request. A Presidential veto of this bill would likely mean less money for schools, workforce development programs, and other local needs throughout the country. It is extremely important for you to contact your Members of Congress' offices and ask for support for H.R. 3043, and to ask for a firm commitment that your Representative and Senators will continue to support this bill to help override a possible Presidential veto.

Action Needed:

The House and Senate are scheduled to vote next week on passage of the compromise bill. Please call your Representative and Senators' offices and ask them to vote “Yes” on the final FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriation bill.

If your Representative or Senators voted for the bill (H.R. 3043) earlier in the legislative process, please thank them, and encourage them to continue to support the bill as it continues through the process.

If your Representative or Senators did not support the bill, it is extremely crucial that you contact that office and encourage support for this bill as it continues through to final passage and is sent to the President’s desk for approval. Here are some tips to help you secure an increase for Perkins:

• When you call the office, please ask to speak to the staff member who handles education.
• Be sure to reference H.R. 3043 and to say that included in this bill is a $25 million increase for Perkins Basic State Grants.
• Ask for your Members of Congress to vote “Yes” on H.R. 3043 for final passage and to commit to vote to override a possible Presidential veto.
• Highlight key students and other aspects of your program that make it a vital part of your community and state.
• Provide statistics and other facts on Perkins in your state and district. Please see ACTE’s Web site for some resources.
• Invite your Member of Congress and the education staff member to your program so they can see first hand how CTE is making a positive impact on your district and state.
• Rally parents, students, alumni, business leaders, and other individuals in your community to also contact your Representative and Senators.
• Please keep a positive attitude and always thank the Member of Congress or staff member for his or her time, and be sure to leave your contact information.
• Please contact Jamie Baxter, advocacy associate, for any additional information or to report back on what your Representative or Senators’ office said.  

Thank you for all of your hard work. ACTE will keep you informed as the process moves forward.