Congress Cuts Perkins
From the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE):
On April 14th, the House and Senate approved a final funding bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011. Despite all the advocacy efforts of CTE stakeholders across the country, this bill cuts $140.2 million from Perkins, including completely eliminating funding for Tech Prep and cutting Basic State Grants by $37.3 million. This cut will impact funds going out on July 1 for the 2011-2012 school year.
We know that this cut is devastating to the entire CTE community, especially those of you who have worked hard to build Tech Prep programs over the last two decades. ACTE understands that this is a frustrating process, but we cannot give up our fight. We must continue to work hard to promote our programs. Together, we will help Congress to see how important CTE programs are to students, communities, businesses and the future of this country. Thank you for all of your efforts, and let's keep them going!
Congressional work will now shift to Fiscal Year 2012. This is going to be an even tougher funding fight. Conservative Members of Congress are calling for more cuts and believe that the FY 2011 bill didn't go far enough to reduce federal spending. This drive for funding cuts, coupled with the president's proposal to cut Perkins funding by $264
million in his FY 2012 budget request, puts us in a difficult position and has put Perkins on a list of cuts that can, in theory, be agreed upon by both parties.
This is unacceptable! Members of Congress need to understand what CTE programs do and how CTE impacts their communities. Keep contacting your representative and senators and explain how crucial CTE programs are and how funding programs like Perkins is necessary to rebuild the economy and secure a successful high-skilled workforce. ACTE will continue to work diligently to protect CTE programs and is strategizing about new tactics.
TAKE ACTION
Contact your Representative and Senators and express your disappointment that Perkins CTE funds were cut. Explain how less money will hinder your ability to educate and train future workers. Remember, restoring funds to Perkins is going to be a long and difficult road. If legislators and their staffs don't hear from you, they will never know how crucial CTE funding is to securing a successful, highly skilled workforce. Build a relationship with the key staff making decisions about education and workforce program funding, and rally your colleagues to do the same. We will need strong connections and large numbers of individuals working on our behalf if we are going to make a
difference.
Invite your Members of Congress to see your program first hand. This visit will leave a lasting impression on your policymakers.
Stay informed of action that is needed by signing up to receive text alerts by clicking here or texting CTEALERT to 88202.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the ACTE Public Policy Department. You can read more about ACTE's policy activities and the latest happenings in Washington, DC, on ACTE's CTE Policy Watch blog.