The Perkins Basic State Grant program, the only dedicated federal funding for CTE, has received modest yet consistent increases since fiscal year (FY) 2018. However, as a result of chronic underinvestment and inflation, the Basic State Grant still remains over $400M below its FY 2004 funding level. The most recent House and Senate proposals for FY 2023 have continued the trend of small but important increases for CTE state grants. The outcome of this year’s midterm elections could have a tremendous impact on the funding outcomes in both FY 2023 and 2024.
Most recently, Democratic House appropriators have proposed a $45M increase to the Perkins Basic State Grant program, while Senate Democrats proposed $60M. To avert a government shutdown, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) until December 16 to allow additional time to negotiate a final appropriations package after the results of the midterm election are finalized. This does not mean, however, that a package is guaranteed by this date—and the initial levels included in the House and Senate bills are not binding on final decisions.
Should Republicans gain control of the House or Senate, they may be motivated to wait until the 118th Congress is sworn in so that they can assume more control over the budgeting process. Many on Capitol Hill have expressed optimism that a deal will be struck before the end of the year though because of the retirements of appropriations committee leaders Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT). They may be motivated to end their Senate careers on a high note by passing appropriations bills prior to the end of the current session. Otherwise, any changes to the balance of power will impact negotiations over top-level funding, as Republicans traditionally have supported more conservative levels of domestic discretionary funding.
No matter the election results and the timing of the final FY 2023 package, the appropriations process requires bipartisan compromise. ACTE has asked Congress to increase the Perkins Basic State Grant program by $200M in FY 2023 and will continue working with Congress and the Biden Administration to secure bolder investments in FY 2024. To learn more or to find ways that you can advocate for federal investments in CTE, please contact ACTE’s Government Relations Manager, Zach Curtis ([email protected]).
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