Members of Congress, like much of the country, have spent significant time in the last few weeks discussing issues around racial inequity, with initial legislation introduced this week and more proposals under consideration. Common ground appears to be emerging between the two parties on several law enforcement reform issues. We will share more on any related bills impacting education or workforce development as the process unfolds. Below are a few other updates:
- Third Wave of CTE State Plans Approved: The Department of Education has approved 10 additional CTE state plans! The 10 plans that were approved are: Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin and DC. More information on their plans can be found on the ED’s website.
- Senate Holds Hearing on COVID-19: Going Back to School Safely: The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hosted a hearing entitled ‘COVID-19: Going Back to School Safely’ where lawmakers discussed how to ensure schools can open safely in the fall. Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) also encouraged the reopening schools because of racial inequalities that minority students are facing while schools are closed. Watch the full hearing here, and read more on the blog here. You can also read the statement Sen. Alexander made on the Senate floor the next day, which acknowledged that schools may need additional funding to reopen
- The Committee for Education Funding (CEF) Hosts Hill Day: On Tuesday, ACTE joined CEF for their Hill Day to speak with lawmakers about the need for federal investment in education for COVID-19 costs and FY2021. Members of Congress were urged to increase the level of funding since the current level of funding is $7 million below the 2011 level in inflation-adjusted terms.
- Department of Education Releases Regulatory Guidance on CARES Act Student Aid: The Department of Education has issued a draft rule related to student eligibility for the portion of postsecondary CARES Act funding that is set aside for student aid. More information can be found in this blog post.
- Applications for Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund Available: The Department of Education announced that all applications for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, a $3 billion stabilization fund under the CARES Act stimulus package, have been received. These applications are now public. The Governor’s fund is aimed to help with funding for secondary and postsecondary institutions that were hit the hardest by COVID-19. Check out the plans to see what was included in your state’s application.
- Markups for FY21 Appropriations Bills Announced: House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) has announced that subcommittee markups for the FY21 Appropriations bills will begin the week of July 6, with the hopes of having them passed out of the House by August recess. Similarly, Senate Appropriations Chair Richard Shelby (R-Al) announced the Senate will begin its process the third week of June. The situation remains fluid and is subject to change.
- House Members Request Education Funding for Next Relief Package: More than 100 Democratic House members are requesting $305 billion in education funding for K-12 schools in the next COVID-19 relief package. The lawmakers argue this funding is needed in order to ensure schools can be effective in the fall.
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