February 8, 2008 Edition

Twenty-four states are holding primaries or caucuses today for the next President of the United States as well as for countless other federal, state and local elected positions. If you are in one of those states, make sure you go vote today and cast for your vote for kids!

In the 2008 federal elections, voters will determine our president, our vice president, all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and 35 U.S. senators. In state elections, voters will elect 11 governors, more than 6,500 state house and senate members, and countless mayors, regents, city council members, boards of supervisors, county officials, and school board trustees. Your vote can make a difference for our children and communities.

By exercising our democratic right to vote, we are able to give children a voice. It is critical that all PTA members demonstrate their role as child advocates by voting for candidates that for public office that support children and public schools. Visit PTA’s online Voter Guide to learn more about what makes someone a strong child and education candidate.

Encouraging our members to participate and vote in their local, state, and national elections is a major PTA initiative this year.  Parent involvement is core to PTA's mission.  PTA was founded as an advocacy organization over a century ago. Voting and participating in our democracy is a fundamental part of both parent involvement and advocacy. 

Please take the time to vote.  Our nation, now and in the future, needs to hear your voice.  Not sure where to vote? Visit VOTE411.org to find your local polling place.

President Bush Proposes FY 2009 Budget

On Monday, President George W. Bush sent his eighth annual budget proposal to Congress, seeking to increase the budget to $3.1 trillion in fiscal year 2009 (FY09).  The president’s budget would increase the federal deficit by nearly $250 billion while making substantial cuts in areas ranging from education, health care, disease control, and environmental protection to emergency responders, and low-income heating assistance.

Bush proposes to extend most of the tax cuts enacted in 2001and 2003 and add new tax cuts on top.  According to analysis by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities the president’s budget would enlarge deficits by a total of $547 billion in fiscal years 2008-2013, or $397 billion not counting the economic stimulus package moving through Congress (see second article in the January 30 issue of This Week in Washington for more information on the economic stimulus proposals).

As stated in his State of the Union Address before Congress last week, Bush has proposed eliminating or reducing 151 programs as wasteful or inefficient, for a savings of $18 billion in FY09.  47 education programs would be eliminated for nearly $3.3 billion, along with a sharp reduction for an additional 11 programs totaling $720 million.

Features of the Department of Education budget include:

• Title I Basic Grants to School Districts – $6.6 billion: no increase from FY08
• Title I Concentration Grants –$1.4 billion: no increase from FY08:
• Title I Targeted Grants – $3.4 billion: increase of $406 million
• School Improvement Grants – $491 million: no increase from FY08
• Pell Grants for Kids – $300 million: new national voucher program
• Reading First – $1.1 billion: restoration to near FY07 funding
• Improving Teacher Quality – $2.8 billion; reduction of $100 million
• Safe and Drug Free State Grants – $100 million; reduction of $195 million
• 21st Century Learning Opportunities (after-school programming) – $800 million; reduction of $281 million
• Special Education – $12.3 billion; increase of $342 million
• Pell Grants (Higher Education) – increase of maximum award to $4,310

Programs proposed for elimination include:

• Arts in Education
• Career and Technical Education National Programs
• Career and Technical Education State Grants
• Education Technology State Grants
• Even Start
• Parent Information and Resource Centers
• Physical Education
• Reading is Fundamental
• Tech Prep Education State Grants

At a Department of Education briefing Monday, officials indicated many of the eliminations and cuts were the result of programs being deemed “ineffective” and that a better option is putting more money directly in the hands of students.  Also, they stated that a number of programs had “accomplished the goals they were created for,” therefore do not need additional funding. 

A summary and in-depth details of the education budget is available at the Department of Education website.  The President’s full budget proposal can be viewed through the Office of Management and Budget..

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