This year’s budget and appropriations process is well underway. Last month, the Senate approved its funding recommendations for education for the 2013 fiscal year (FY). Now, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services and Education has scheduled a time to vote on its recommendations for education funding for FY2013 also – this Wednesday, July 18, @ 10am EDT. We need your voice now!
Tell your Representative to fund special education, gifted education, personnel preparation, and special education research. These programs are vital to the education of our nation’s children and youth with disabilities. Click here to send a letter to your Representative.
As you know, for the budget to pass and become law, both the House and Senate must approve the same numbers & legislation. Only if the same bill passes both chambers can it go to the President for his signature. Thus far, the Senate agreed to increase funding for IDEA Part B Grants to States by $100 million, for IDEA Part C Infants and Toddlers by $20 million and for Special Education Research by $10 million. (Read more about CEC’s fight to fund Special Education Research here.) Unfortunately, the Senate also cut IDEA Part D National Programs Personnel Preparation monies. So, while we are calling on the House to maintain the Senate’s increases, we are also asking that Representatives maintain funding for all IDEA Part D programs – and reverse the Senate cut.
This process is far from over – your advocacy made a difference in the Senate and over 2,000 of you sent letters telling Senators what was important. That effort worked! Please take a minute today and send a letter to your Representative in the House. Together we can make a difference!
Have you seen the impact of budget cuts in your community? In your school? On your students? If so, you can easily personalize CEC’s letter – take a moment to add your own personal story. Thanks for all of your help - Stay tuned to the PI blog – and to CEC’s Policy & Advocacy on Twitter @CECAdvocacy– for all the latest news!
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