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Action Alert!
| 2010-2011 TRIO Budget | California Budget | Save Cal Grant Talking Points |
Dear Colleague:
Today, the Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee considered its FY 2010 bill, in which it level-funded both TRIO and GEAR UP at $848.1 million and $313.2 million, respectively. If funding for TRIO is not increased in FY 2010, COE projects that at least 115 current SSS grantees serving nearly 25,000 students will lose their programs in this fall's grant competition. Therefore, it is vital that you, your staff, your students, and their families call, e-mail, and fax your Senators today. (Contact information for all Senators is available here and below.) This action is particularly critical for those of you who reside in States represented by a Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee-i.e,. Alabama (Shelby), Arkansas (Pryor), California (Feinstein), Hawaii (Inouye), Illinois (Durbin), Iowa (Harkin), Kansas (Brownback), Kentucky (McConnell), Louisiana (Landrieu), Maine (Collins), Maryland (Mikulski), Mississippi (Cochran), Missouri (Bond), Montana (Tester), Nebraska (Nelson), New Hampshire (Gregg), New Jersey (Lautenberg), North Dakota (Dorgan), Pennsylvania (Specter), Rhode Island (Reed), South Dakota (Johnson), Tennessee (Alexander), Texas (Hutchinson), Utah (Bennett), Vermont (Leahy), Washington (Murray), West Virginia (Byrd), Wisconsin (Kohl). If applicable, do not be afraid to remind your Senators that they signed onto our FY2010 Appropriations Request Letter.
The Full Appropriations Committee will meet this Thursday to further amend the bill. The time to act is now! Here is a sample message:
Dear Senator:
I am very disappointed that the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee has recommended level-funding for TRIO. I am counting on you to support a significant increase for TRIO in FY 2010.
Thank you for your continued support of TRIO programs.
Sincerely,
Arnold Mitchem
President
YOUR SENATORS' CONTACT INFORMATION
US Senator for California
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D)
Capitol Mailing Address:
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-0504
Website: http://feinstein.senate.gov
Capitol Phone: 202-224-3841 Fax: 202-228-3954
US Senator for California
Senator Barbara Boxer (D)
Democratic Chief Deputy Whip
Capitol Mailing Address:
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
United States Senate
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-0505
Website: http://boxer.senate.gov
Capitol Phone: 202-224-3553 Fax: 202-224-0454
[TOP]
Dear Colleague:
Next week, Members of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations in the U.S. Senate is expected to mark-up the Fiscal Year 2010 Education Appropriations bill, which funds the TRIO. Recently, the Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives approved its version of the bill and called for only a $20 million or 2.4% increase for TRIO - far below the projected needs for the program in the coming fiscal year. To prevent this from happening, I am asking that you contact Senator Dianne Feinstein, who sits on the Appropriations Committee, and urge the Senator to work actively to secure a $120 million increase for TRIO.
Here is the Senator's complete contact information:
US Senator for California
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D)
Capitol Mailing Address:
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-0504
Website: http://feinstein.senate.gov
Capitol Phone: 202-224-3841 Fax: 202-228-3954
Thank you for your continued support of TRIO programs!
Sincerely,
Heather Valentine
Council for Opportunity in Education
[TOP]
The most recent updates from today's Budget Conference Committee
hearing. --
a. the committee approved a staff compromise on Cal Grants which would
restore full funding for 2009-10, using $32 million from the Student Loan
Operation Fund (SLOF) to partially offset costs. For the following year,
2010-11, they anticipate two reductions: freeze income ceilings at the
2009-10 level and to cut new and renewal awards to students at nonpublic
institutions by 5%.b. In addition, they also approved an increase to $26 per unit at the
California Community Colleges.
After the Budget Conference Committee makes it's final budget decisions, it
will be sent to the Governor's desk for his signature in the next couple of
days. Because they're moving quickly in Sacramento, it's great timing that
we'll be sending these letters out.
Download a template letter that we have requested all Cal-SOAP projects
to sign and fax to the Governor's office @ *916-558-3160* no later than this
*FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH AT 5:00 PM. *
[TOP]
Also see Dear Colleague Letter
Governor Schwarzenegger has submitted a new proposed state budget which
would make a number of spending cuts, including eliminating all new Cal
Grants for students at both public and private colleges; and reducing
the value of renewal Cal Grants for all returning University of
California (UC) and California State University (CSU) recipients by
lowering the share of enrollment fees their grants will cover.
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee will be holding hearings on cuts
to education on Monday, June 1st. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY!
Please contact the following members of the Joint Legislative Budget
Committee by email or by fax using the contact information below as well
as the State Senator and Assembly person representing your district and
school. Let them know how these cuts will affect California students who
need Cal Grant assistance to help finance a college education. YOUR
VOICE IS IMPORTANT.
Members of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, district office phone
number, fax number, and email address.
Noreen Evans - Chair, phone: (916) 319-2007 fax (916) 319-2107
Assemblymember.Evans@assembly.ca.gov
Roger Niello Vice Chair, phone: (916) 319-2005
Assemblymember.Niello@assembly.ca.gov
Bob Blumenfield, phone (916) 319-2040 fax (916) 319-2140
Assemblymember.Blumenfield@assembly.ca.gov
Brian Nestande phone (916) 319-2064
Assemblymember.Nestande@assembly.ca.gov
Kevin De Leon, phone (916) 319-2045 fax (916) 319-2145
http://legplcms01.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.aspx?district=AD45
Denise Ducheny, Chair, Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee fax
(916) 327-3522
http://dist40.casen.govoffice.com
Robert Dutton, Vice Chair, phone (916) 651-4031 fax (916) 327-2272
http://cssrc.us/web/31/contact_us.aspx
Mark Leno, phone (916) 651-4003 fax (916) 445-4722
http://legplcms01.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.aspx?district=SD03
Alan Lowenthal, phone (916) 651-4027 fax (916) 327-9113
Mimi Walters, phone (916) 651-4033 fax (916) 445-9754
http://cssrc.us/web/33/contact_me.aspx
[TOP]
It has a been a hectic week in Sacramento. Just a quick note to give you the latest budget news.
On Tuesday, the Governor announced approximately $5.5 billion in additional spending cuts beyond those included in his May Revision proposal released on May 14. These additional cuts were necessitated by the Governor's decision to eliminate $5.5 billion in borrowing included in his initial proposal. The proposed cuts spread across most of the state budget. Among the cuts were many that even the Governor characterized as difficult and severe. However K-12 schools and community colleges were not proposed for additional cuts as the May Revision already had Proposition 98 funded at the minimum guarantee.. Proposed cuts included:
* Cuts to UC and CSU ($1.1 billion)
o (promise of some federal backfill funds)
* Phase out CalGrant Program ($173 million)
* Cuts to MediCal Program ($351 million)
* Eliminate Healthy Families Program (248 million
* Eliminate CalWORKs ($1.3 billion)
Today, the Governor announced an additional $2.8 billion in reductions. This round of cuts was the result of the Governor deciding to adopt lower revenue estimates developed by the Legislative Analyst's Office. Based on the lower revenue estimates, the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee was lowered by approximately $680 million, thus opening the door for additional cuts to K-12 schools and community colleges without having to suspend Proposition 98.. The Governor elected to make this full reduction in the areas of K-12 revenue limits (general purpose allocations) and child care programs. The Governor proposed that K-12 schools be given a "deficit factor"-a mechanism to ensure that funding for schools increases in future years to compensate for the revenue limit cut. Further, the Governor proposed an unusual provision that will allow mid-year restoration of the $470 million cut to K-12 schools in the event that state revenues improve and cause an increase in the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee. The Governor did not propose any additional cuts for the community colleges. At a briefing late this afternoon, Department of Finance representatives explained that further cuts to the community colleges would not have been allowed under maintenance of effort rules associated with federal stimulus funding. Proposed cuts announced today were as follows:
* Eliminate Adult Day Care ($117 million)
* In Home Supportive Services Cuts ($231 million)
* Cuts to K-12 revenue limits ($470 million)
* Cuts to Child Care Programs ($210 million)
We understand that, with this third set of cuts, the Governor has revealed his full May Revision proposal. The complete details for the proposal will be available early next week. Once they are released, we will review these details and provide additional updates as appropriate.
Now, the proposal is in the hands of the Legislature. Already, they are holding Conference Committee hearings to examine the impacts. They are beginning with a round of hearings to allow public input. This week, health, transportation, and local government were covered. On Monday, education-K-12 through university-will be heard (see attached agenda). We are expecting a large showing of community college stakeholders-students, presidents, faculty, classified staff, and business owners-who will help to make the case for minimizing cuts to the community colleges. Chancellor Scott will be addressing the Conference Committee as part of a panel including UC President Yudof and CSU Chancellor Reed.
More updates to follow.
Regards,
Erik Skinner
Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Policy
California Community Colleges,
Chancellor's Office
1102 Q Street
Sacramento, CA 95811-6549
[TOP]
May 7, 2009
What does President Obama's Budget mean for the next Student Support Services competition and the 2010-2011 academic year?
With no new money included in President Obama's Budget for TRIO, the Student Support Services competition will be one of the most competitive in decades. Based on previous competitions, COE projects that - without additional funding - more than 110 existing SSS programs serving 23,100 students will be discontinued in the FY 2010 SSS competition. (This figure does not include the roughly 80 new applicants that will be awarded grants.)
What can you do?
You, your students, your parents, university and administration officials, local leaders and any other TRIO supporters should contact your Senators and Representatives immediately and demand that a real increase for TRIO be provided in the FY 2010 Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations bill. (You can find your Representative and Senators' contact information at the following website - http://www.visi.com/juan/congress.) Without a substantial increase in appropriations funding in FY 2010 - there is a real threat to SSS programs and to underrepresented students across the country. In reaching out to your Members of Congress, remember to talk about what life-changing effects your program has on your students, their families and your community.
Also, please outreach to Education Secretary Arne Duncan through his Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs and Outreach, Massie Ritsch (Massie.Ritsch@ed.gov) and let him know that you, on behalf of your students, are fighting to ensure that President Obama delivers on his 2008 campaign promise in Denver, Colorado to expand TRIO.
Sample Email:
Dear Secretary Duncan:
I am writing to you to express my disappointment in President Obama's education budget for FY 2010. I am the Director of a Student Support Services program (one of the Federal TRIO programs) at [INSTITUTION] and we serve [NUMBER] low-income students that rely on this program for crucial support services. [please include a list of services that you feel are important in your program.] I am concerned that by level-funding the TRIO programs for FY 2010, you are severely limiting the services provided to students across the country. I can safely say that, without the support of TRIO's Student Support Services program, my students would not successfully complete college and enter the workforce. I know President Obama has expressed his commitment in the past to TRIO but I hope he stands by that commitment for all the students I serve at [INSTITUTION] who depend on these services and their life-changing results.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION]
Please remember that your advocacy efforts do not go unnoticed! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Kimberly Jones at Kimberly.Jones@coenet.us.
Sincerely,
Heather Valentine
Council for Opportunity in Education
[TOP]
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