Update: The Committee Markup of the House 2014 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill has been Postponed indefinitely. Please Check the CTE Policy Watch Blog for Additional Updates.
This week, the House Appropriations Committee will begin consideration of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill, which will include funding for Perkins! Federal support for CTE is far below what is necessary to meet the needs of local CTE programs and the students they serve. Since 2010, Perkins funding has been reduced by over $100 million, with the threat of further cuts through sequestration for the 2013-14 school year.
This markup is a critical step in the long path toward a final FY 2014 funding amount for Perkins. Unfortunately, the House overall FY 2014 funding level for programs of $121 billion is $28 billion, or almost 19 percent, below the current funding level. This is going to make it extremely difficult for any programs to receive adequate funding.
Earlier this month, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill that funds Perkins at 1.1 billion for FY 2014—equivalent to the pre-sequestration level! To ensure that the House appropriators provide the best funding allocation possible for Perkins, they need to hear from you again! Please take a few minutes to let them know:
- Funding for Perkins is critical in preparing youth and adults for 21st century careers.
- Federal support for CTE has already been cut by over $100 million since 2010.
- Sequestration will add another $58 million reduction in Perkins funding for the 2013-14 school year.
- It is time for Congress to make funding CTE a priority!
- Ask them to please support a $1.1 billion funding level for the Perkins CTE State Grants in the FY 2014 appropriations bill!
Take Action:
- Find your Representative’s contact information here.
- Share your thoughts with them on Twitter (include hashtags #CareerTechEd and #NoMoreCuts).
- Write a message on their Facebook wall.
- Call their office directly (also reach them through the Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121).
- Send them an e-mail through the ACTE Action Center.
- Visit our CTE Funding page for more information.
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