This year, all the talk in DC and around the nation is budget, budget, and more (or less) budget. As Senators and Representatives try to reach a long term deal to pay for government programs through Fiscal Year 2012 and increase the nation’s debt ceiling, one major proposal – which would hurt education - is gaining steam in Congress: the Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment.
The House and Senate are both considering proposals that would require a balanced federal budget as soon as fiscal year 2018. Sounds harmless right? Wrong. These proposals would limit government spending every year to no more than 18% of GDP and require a supermajority (3/5ths of all members) to vote to increase taxes. This would mean that federal spending would return to pre-1966 levels – remember that was before the government agreed to pay for things like IDEA, ESEA, Medicaid and Medicare. Stated simply, the impact of these proposals on students with disabilities and the professionals who serve them would be profound.
Many who support these proposals argue that they are justified because states and families have to balance their budgets. But this argument overlooks the fact that states and families can and often do borrow for capital projects, meaning in the case of a state – infrastructure or in the case of a family, a car, home or college education. Additionally, a cap makes it harder for Congress to respond to changing conditions or emergencies or even just close tax loopholes.
CEC is concerned about these proposals and has joined with other education organizations in letting Congress know we oppose them. Click here to tell Congress you agree. Vote No on Balanced Budget Amendments.
in the vast expanse of civilization i feel you are injuring the reputation of government.
Posted by: michael madden | 01/05/2012 at 06:03 PM