ICCTA Action Alert
Oct. 3, 2003


The following summary is reprinted from the Association of Community Colleges Trustees.


Washington Update

Click here to see the legislative priorities from the 2003 Community College National Legislative Summit in Washington, February 9-11. Please continue to communicate these priorities with your elected officials by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 (ask to be connected to your Senators' and Representative's offices). Your voice is critical to ensuring the future of America's communities!


Time Runs Out - Congress Extends Key Funding and Welfare Bills
October 1st marked the start of a new fiscal year in Washington. With only three of the 13 regular appropriations bills having cleared Congress, lawmakers quickly passed an omnibus spending package on September 25 in order to keep the government running. President Bush signed H. J. Res 69 on September 30th, thereby ensuring that the government could continue to expend funds for education and training programs through October 31st.

Action on the regular Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill was not completed prior to the October 1st deadline, despite bills having cleared the House and Senate, H.R. 2660 and S. 1356, respectively. Lawmakers are expected to complete conference negotiations in order to bring the regular appropriations bill to a final vote before the new October 31st deadline. Among the key differences dividing House and Senate appropriators over education funding levels are:

  • An additional $1.2 billion for Special Education included in the Senate bill;

  • How to allocate Title I education funds (the House favors targeted grants while the Senate, incentive grants);

  • A provision in the Senate bill blocking the Department of Education from implementing revised student aid eligibility formulas that would reduce aid packages for thousands of students; and

  • An additional $80 million proposed by the Senate to help states pay for longitudinal data systems required by the No Child Left Behind legislation.

    Congress also passed an extension for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program, and certain tax and trade programs. This critical legislation was slated to expire on October 1st. President Bush signed the legislation, H.R. 3146, renewing the current TANF legislation through December 31, 2004.

    To see the FY 2004 proposals by program, click here.


    Congress Begins Work on Higher Education Reauthorization
    The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, led by Ohio Congressman John Boehner, has held several hearings on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). Additionally, the House has passed a bill, H.R. 2211, addressing teacher training programs expected to be integrated into the final House HEA package later.

    The House Committee Members have introduced two additional legislative packages addressing HEA issues: Access; and Outreach to Disadvantaged Populations. Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon (CA) is reportedly poised to introduce his College Affordability bill, which would require the Secretary of Education to release colleges' "affordability index" so that parents and students are informed about institutional costs. Institutions that exceed their index could be subjected to Department of Education sanctions.

    Additionally, proprietary institutions are seeking Congressional approval through the HEA in order to access categorical program funding, such as Title III, Part A. If granted, community colleges would be forced to compete for funds with proprietary colleges.

    The Senate is not as far along on their HEA proposals, but is expected to focus their efforts in earnest after the New Year.


    President Bush Signs HEROES Legislation Endorsed by ACCT
    On August 18th, President Bush signed into law H.R. 1412, the "Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003", to provide the Secretary of Education with specific waiver authority (relating to Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965) to respond to a war or other military operation or national emergency. This important legislation was endorsed by ACCT and the higher education community and provides important relief for students who suspend their studies in order to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

    For a summary of the bill, click here.



    • Illinois Community College Trustees Association
    401 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 200
    Springfield, IL 62701-1711
    217-528-2858 (phone)
    217-528-8662 (fax)
    ICCTA@communitycolleges.org (e-mail)
    http://www.communitycolleges.org



    | Home | News | Events | Links |