Today, President Barack Obama will be giving his first State of Union address to the Joint Session of Congress. According to the White House, President Obama is expected to push for additional education dollars for higher education and K-12. The Administration is requesting that the Department of Education’s funding level grow by 6%. The President will likely press Congress to pass the FY2010 Education Reconciliation and the American Graduation Initiative. The Administration’s formal budget request will be released on Monday, February 1.
As for the jobs bill, Senate Democratic leaders are coalescing around a proposal that would provide over $80 billion for infrastructure, energy, and state aid. The House passed its $154 billion jobs bill in December. The Senate Democratic leaders may unveil their bill as early as tomorrow.
In other news, the Center for American Progress held an event on “Community Colleges and Competitiveness: Generating Economic Opportunity Through Innovation in Postsecondary Education” this morning in Washington, D.C. The event was keynoted by Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden, a professor at Northern Virginia Community College. Assistant Secretary of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education Brenda Dann Messier also keynoted the event.
The event had a number of other speakers including Gail Mellow, President of LaGuardia Community College and Keith Bird, Chancellor Emeritus of Kentucky Community and Technical College System. More information can be found at: http://www.americanprogress.org/events/2010/01/commcoll.html. The video for the event should be available online shortly.
Read more!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Department of Commerce Funding Opportunities Announced
Today, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced the availability of $4.8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants and loans to expand broadband opportunities. There are significant funding opportunities for community colleges within these grants. Below is the pertinent information for community colleges that was included in the department’s press release.
NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)
NTIA’s NOFA allocates approximately $2.6 billion in this funding round of which approximately $2.35 billion will be made available for infrastructure projects. In this round, NTIA is adopting a “comprehensive communities” approach as its top priority in awarding infrastructure grants, focusing on middle mile broadband projects that connect key community anchor institutions – such as libraries, hospitals, community colleges, universities, and public safety institutions. Comprehensive Community Infrastructure projects maximize the benefits of BTOP by leveraging resources, promoting sustainable community growth, and ultimately laying the foundation for reasonably priced broadband service to consumers and businesses.
In addition, NTIA plans to award at least $150 million of the funding for Public Computer Center projects, which will expand access to broadband service and enhance broadband capacity at public libraries, community colleges, and other institutions that service the general public. NTIA also plans to award at least $100 million for Sustainable Broadband Adoption projects, which include projects to provide broadband education, training, and equipment, particularly to vulnerable population groups where broadband technology has traditionally been underutilized.
For more information, visit: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2010/FR_BTOPNOFA_100115.pdf
Or visit the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program website: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/ Read more!
NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)
NTIA’s NOFA allocates approximately $2.6 billion in this funding round of which approximately $2.35 billion will be made available for infrastructure projects. In this round, NTIA is adopting a “comprehensive communities” approach as its top priority in awarding infrastructure grants, focusing on middle mile broadband projects that connect key community anchor institutions – such as libraries, hospitals, community colleges, universities, and public safety institutions. Comprehensive Community Infrastructure projects maximize the benefits of BTOP by leveraging resources, promoting sustainable community growth, and ultimately laying the foundation for reasonably priced broadband service to consumers and businesses.
In addition, NTIA plans to award at least $150 million of the funding for Public Computer Center projects, which will expand access to broadband service and enhance broadband capacity at public libraries, community colleges, and other institutions that service the general public. NTIA also plans to award at least $100 million for Sustainable Broadband Adoption projects, which include projects to provide broadband education, training, and equipment, particularly to vulnerable population groups where broadband technology has traditionally been underutilized.
For more information, visit: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2010/FR_BTOPNOFA_100115.pdf
Or visit the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program website: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/ Read more!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
AGI Waits for Health Care to be Completed; NLS Speakers Announced
January 7, 2010—Prior to the winter holidays, the Senate finally passed its version of health-care reform. The Administration, House, and Senate are now working together to reach a compromise bill. The White House is pushing to get the bill completed prior to the State of the Union address later in January, but it appears that the timing of the bill will run into February. The House will be back in session on January 12 and the Senate will return on January 19.
Under the above scenario for health care, there is an expectation that the Senate will take up the education budget reconciliation and the American Graduation Initiative in February. In other major news, the Senate’s action on the jobs bill legislation is still pending. It is unclear whether the Senate bill will be similar to the House bill.
ACCT continues to work on gathering co-sponsors for H.R. 4196, the Community College Emergency Stabilization Fund Act, sponsored by Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX). Currently, the bill has 335 co-sponsors. Rep. Larson is still working to attach the bill as part of a larger legislative vehicle. Adding more co-sponsors will facilitate the process.
In other advocacy news, ACCT is excited to start off the new year by announcing the names of three distinguished leaders in media, politics, economics, and business who will be making keynote addresses at the 2010 National Legislative Summit (NLS):
• David Gregory, Moderator, NBC’s Meet the Press
• William D. Green, CEO and Chairman, Accenture
• David Leonhardt, Economics Columnist, The New York Times
The 2010 NLS comes after an unprecedented year of legislative support for community colleges at the federal level. Your participation in this annual event is essential to showing your lawmakers the importance of community colleges to the nation's education as well as the workforce and economy.
You still have time to register for the 2010 NLS.
Click here to register now, or click here for more information. Read more!
Under the above scenario for health care, there is an expectation that the Senate will take up the education budget reconciliation and the American Graduation Initiative in February. In other major news, the Senate’s action on the jobs bill legislation is still pending. It is unclear whether the Senate bill will be similar to the House bill.
ACCT continues to work on gathering co-sponsors for H.R. 4196, the Community College Emergency Stabilization Fund Act, sponsored by Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX). Currently, the bill has 335 co-sponsors. Rep. Larson is still working to attach the bill as part of a larger legislative vehicle. Adding more co-sponsors will facilitate the process.
In other advocacy news, ACCT is excited to start off the new year by announcing the names of three distinguished leaders in media, politics, economics, and business who will be making keynote addresses at the 2010 National Legislative Summit (NLS):
• David Gregory, Moderator, NBC’s Meet the Press
• William D. Green, CEO and Chairman, Accenture
• David Leonhardt, Economics Columnist, The New York Times
The 2010 NLS comes after an unprecedented year of legislative support for community colleges at the federal level. Your participation in this annual event is essential to showing your lawmakers the importance of community colleges to the nation's education as well as the workforce and economy.
You still have time to register for the 2010 NLS.
Click here to register now, or click here for more information. Read more!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
House Passes Jobs Bill
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the “Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010” by a 217-212 vote. The act provides $154 billion for a number of programs. Most importantly, $23 billion will be available to states as part of an Education Jobs Fund over the next two years. 95% of the funds will be allocated by states to school districts and public institutions of higher education to retain or create jobs that provide educational services and to modernize, renovate, and repair public education facilities.
The bill provides $750 million in competitive grants to train workers for jobs in high-growth fields. The bill also provides $300 million for the College Work Study program. The summary of the bill can be found here.
The bill can be found here.
The Senate will not take up the Jobs bill legislation before their holiday recess. Additionally, it is unclear whether the Senate bill will be similar to the House’s bill.
ACCT continues to work on gathering co-sponsors for H.R. 4196, the Community College Emergency Stabilization Fund Act, sponsored by Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX). Currently, the bill has 31 co-sponsors. Rep. Larson is still working to attach the bill as part of a larger legislative vehicle. Adding more co-sponsors will facilitate the process.
Meanwhile, Congress has passed its Omnibus Appropriations bill, which includes the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill. President Obama’s signed the bill into law yesterday. A summary can be viewed here. Read more!
The bill provides $750 million in competitive grants to train workers for jobs in high-growth fields. The bill also provides $300 million for the College Work Study program. The summary of the bill can be found here.
The bill can be found here.
The Senate will not take up the Jobs bill legislation before their holiday recess. Additionally, it is unclear whether the Senate bill will be similar to the House’s bill.
ACCT continues to work on gathering co-sponsors for H.R. 4196, the Community College Emergency Stabilization Fund Act, sponsored by Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX). Currently, the bill has 31 co-sponsors. Rep. Larson is still working to attach the bill as part of a larger legislative vehicle. Adding more co-sponsors will facilitate the process.
Meanwhile, Congress has passed its Omnibus Appropriations bill, which includes the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill. President Obama’s signed the bill into law yesterday. A summary can be viewed here. Read more!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
President Obama's Speech on Job Creation; Congress Finalizes Funding Bill
Yesterday, President Barack Obama gave a speech at the Brookings Institute outlining his goals for a prospective job creation bill. The speech outlined three key areas: 1) Helping small businesses expand investment, hire workers and access credit; 2) Investing in America’s roads, bridges and infrastructure; and 3) Creating jobs through energy efficiency and clean-energy investments.
The White House fact sheet on these goals can be found here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-proposals-accelerate-job-growth-and-lay-foundation-robust.
President Obama’s speech can be viewed here: http://www.brookings.edu/events/2009/1208_jobs_obama.aspx.
Congress is beginning to work on a jobs package, but it is unclear whether Congress will be able to move a bill prior to adjourning for the holidays. House Democratic leaders have indicated that they have a strong desire to introduce a bill prior to adjournment. ACCT is working to gather co-sponsors for H.R. 4196, the Community College Emergency Stabilization Fund Act, sponsored by Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX). The bill currently has 12 additional co-sponsors.
In other news, House and Senate Appropriations leaders announced that they had agreed to a nearly $450 billion omnibus appropriations bill that will include 5 appropriations bills, including $163.6 billion for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill. The bill provides for a $5,550 Pell Grant maximum. Additionally, other funding levels include: 1) $125 million for the Career Pathways Innovation Fund (formerly Community-Based Job Training Grant program); 2) $603 million for minority-serving institutions; and 3) $40 million for a green jobs program. A summary can be viewed at: http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/FY10_LHHS_Conference_Summary.pdf.
The passage of the omnibus appropriations bill will result in one remaining appropriations bill, for defense appropriations. Congress is working to pass these bills soon because the current continuing resolution, which is funding the federal government, expires on December 18th. Congress may use the defense appropriations bill as the vehicle to move any jobs bill. Read more!
The White House fact sheet on these goals can be found here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-proposals-accelerate-job-growth-and-lay-foundation-robust.
President Obama’s speech can be viewed here: http://www.brookings.edu/events/2009/1208_jobs_obama.aspx.
Congress is beginning to work on a jobs package, but it is unclear whether Congress will be able to move a bill prior to adjourning for the holidays. House Democratic leaders have indicated that they have a strong desire to introduce a bill prior to adjournment. ACCT is working to gather co-sponsors for H.R. 4196, the Community College Emergency Stabilization Fund Act, sponsored by Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX). The bill currently has 12 additional co-sponsors.
In other news, House and Senate Appropriations leaders announced that they had agreed to a nearly $450 billion omnibus appropriations bill that will include 5 appropriations bills, including $163.6 billion for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill. The bill provides for a $5,550 Pell Grant maximum. Additionally, other funding levels include: 1) $125 million for the Career Pathways Innovation Fund (formerly Community-Based Job Training Grant program); 2) $603 million for minority-serving institutions; and 3) $40 million for a green jobs program. A summary can be viewed at: http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/FY10_LHHS_Conference_Summary.pdf.
The passage of the omnibus appropriations bill will result in one remaining appropriations bill, for defense appropriations. Congress is working to pass these bills soon because the current continuing resolution, which is funding the federal government, expires on December 18th. Congress may use the defense appropriations bill as the vehicle to move any jobs bill. Read more!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Reps. Larson and Hinojosa Introduce H.R. 4196, Community College Emergency Stabilization Fund Act
Last Friday, Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) introduced H.R. 4196, the Community College Emergency Stabilization Fund Act. The bill provides a one-time allocation of $700 million to states which in turn will provide grants to community colleges. H.R. 4196 provides critical funds to community colleges as they work to meet the wave of students entering community colleges. The bill’s sponsors are concerned about the perfect storm (higher enrollment and less funding) occurring on community college campuses. Therefore, bill provides critical funds to colleges to deal with staffing and faculty shortages to meet the rising enrollments. Colleges will be able to use funds to cover costs related to maintaining, or hiring additional faculty and staff, counselors or others. Additionally, the bill provides $50 million for a federal competitive grant program targeted to career and technical colleges.
Reps. Larson and Hinojosa are currently working to gather co-sponsors to their bill. The goal is to have the bill attached as part of any jobs package that Congress may move in the coming months. ACCT urges its members to reach out their Congressional members in support of H.R. 4196. The bill can be viewed at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.4196:.
Read more!
Reps. Larson and Hinojosa are currently working to gather co-sponsors to their bill. The goal is to have the bill attached as part of any jobs package that Congress may move in the coming months. ACCT urges its members to reach out their Congressional members in support of H.R. 4196. The bill can be viewed at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.4196:.
Read more!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Senate Education Reconciliation Bill Still on Hold
This weekend, the Senate is expected to conduct a key procedural vote, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) filed for cloture to begin consideration of the Senate health care reform bill. If the Senate is able to get the 60 necessary votes, it will begin consideration of the Senate health care legislation. Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Reid noted yesterday that the Senate will not use the reconciliation process for health care. It is unclear what other procedural alternatives would remain for health care if the Senate does not get cloture on the bill.
Congress is still on track to utilize the reconciliation process for education, but the Senate is still waiting for action to be determined on health care before it considers the education reconciliation bill. The Senate’s education reconciliation bill is expected to contain the American Graduation Initiative (AGI). ACCT is hopeful that the Senate will provide greater funding for the American Graduation Initiative than the House bill provided.
Meanwhile, Rep. John Kline (R-MN), Ranking Member of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, introduced legislation to extend the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act (ECASLA). ECASLA was passed in 2008 and helped stabilize the student loan market by allowing the Department of Education to purchase Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL). The Administration and the Education Committee Chairmen have signaled that they will not seek to extend ECASLA because the proposed conversion of the FFEL to the Direct Loan program will make the extension unnecessary. Read more!
Congress is still on track to utilize the reconciliation process for education, but the Senate is still waiting for action to be determined on health care before it considers the education reconciliation bill. The Senate’s education reconciliation bill is expected to contain the American Graduation Initiative (AGI). ACCT is hopeful that the Senate will provide greater funding for the American Graduation Initiative than the House bill provided.
Meanwhile, Rep. John Kline (R-MN), Ranking Member of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, introduced legislation to extend the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act (ECASLA). ECASLA was passed in 2008 and helped stabilize the student loan market by allowing the Department of Education to purchase Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL). The Administration and the Education Committee Chairmen have signaled that they will not seek to extend ECASLA because the proposed conversion of the FFEL to the Direct Loan program will make the extension unnecessary. Read more!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
