Latest CEF update. Of particular note is the comments that Will Smith made at last week’s CEF meeting (I wasn’t there) about Chairman Rogers’ eagerness to begin to negotiate a budget deal, and his expectation that there will be a CR lasting 2-3 months into the fiscal year. As you know, progress on FY16 appropriations has basically ground to a halt. So some combination of a CR in September and then a deal to raise the budget caps is the current expectation. There would probably be more money available for education programs in such a deal; if so, the challenge will be to increase the adult education line item accordingly. But we will be one of many, many groups attempting to do so. Jeff > Begin forwarded message: > > From: Joel Packer <jpacker@cef.org> > Subject: Monday Update > Date: July 20, 2015 at 6:19:31 PM EDT > To: Joel Packer <jpacker@cef.org> > > > > > REGISTER: CEF GALA 2015 <http://www.cvent.com/d/4rq3yc> > Thanks to AFT, NEA, Apple, Inc., National Student Clearinghouse, AERA, AFSCME, AJCU, Knowledge Alliance, NAFIS, NAICU, NASFAA, NASSP, SSWAA, Taylor Strategies, The Raben Group, and Women in Government Relations for purchasing tables/sponsorships! > > > > 1. FY 2016 Appropriations: Not much new to report. On the House side, there is no formal action on appropriations bills this week in either the Appropriations Committee (it has completed its work on all 12 bills) nor the floor. The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to markup this week the Financial Services/General Government bill, its 12th and final bill. > > No action yet on possible negotiations on a deal to raise the budget caps. CQ this morning said, “Members routinely mention closed-door discussions among bipartisan groups, all working diligently on a sweeping fiscal plan that would get rid of the defense and domestic spending limits — or jump-start work to that end. And, they often proclaim, this time there’s a real chance for progress. But none have yet to yield an actual plan..” > > At Friday's CEF meeting, Will Smith, the Staff Director of House Appropriations, said that Chairman Rogers was ready to pivot to negotiating a deal and hopes that such negotiations start now. He expects a CR on the House floor in the first or second week of September lasting 2-3 months into the fiscal year. > > 2. Tax Extenders: The Senate Finance Committee tomorrow, July 21, is scheduled to markup a bipartisan tax extenders package <http://www.finance.senate.gov/newsroom/chairman/release/?id=af2552d3-b2a7-4aee-8a98-2eb76111d97d>. Among the items in this package, which extends al the expired tax extenders for two years (one year retroactive to January 1, 2015 and one year forward to December 31, 2016), are extensions of: > · Above-the-line deduction of up to $250 for teacher classroom expenses > · Above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses > · Qualified zone academy bonds > > 3. HEA Hearing: The Senate HELP Committee has announced the witnesses for its July 22 hearing, Exploring Barriers and Opportunities within Innovation <http://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/reauthorizing-the-higher-education-act-exploring-barriers-and-opportunities-within-innovation>: > > Dr. Paul J. LeBlanc > President > Southern New Hampshire University > Manchester , NH > > Mr. Michael B. Horn > Co-founder and Executive Director, Education Programs > Clayton Christensen Institute > San Mateo , CA > > 4. Robyn Hiestand: I was informed today that Robyn has left the staff of the Senate Budget Committee to work for Ed Trust on higher education issues. > > 5. CEF Election Survey: The Board of Directors asked the Membership and Bylaws Committee to conduct a thorough review of CEF’s elections process and make recommendations for possible changes. As part of this review, the Committee interviewed past chairs of CEF’s nominating committee and researched the nomination and election models of similarly situated organizations. They now would like your input on a few issues that will affect the elections process. Please complete this brief survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CEFElections> by August 3! You’ll also learn a lot about the CEF election process. > > > Joel Packer > CEF Executive Director > JPacker@cef.org <mailto:JPacker@cef.org> > 202-383-0083 > 202-255-0915 (cell) > www.cef.org <http://www.cef.org/> > www.Twitter.com/edfunding <http://www.twitter.com/edfunding> > NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS > 1341 G Street, NW > Fifth Floor > Washington, DC 20005