Good updates here from Sheryl. My comments, for what its worth: My understanding —I think this was from Sen. Murray’s staff — is that it was already likely another short-term CR would be needed in December to get this all done (CR expires December 8) even if things went according to plan. With no budget action at this point, that’s pretty much a certainty, even if they struck a deal tomorrow. I still think they are going to make a deal and get an omnibus together in December — probably a big rush right before Christmas. I’m not too worried about the WIOA Title II appropriation as the field has done a good job this year on advocacy. I think we’ll be level funded, which in this environment tis about as much as we can hope for. But obviously we need to stay vigilant, especially during that four-week period that they put together the omnibus, whenever that happens. I’ll be part of the group meeting meeting next week with Chuck Kieffer, Staff Director for the Senate Appropriations Committee Democrats and with Claire Sanderson with Senate Whip Cornyn. The focus of these meetings is on the education appropriation generally, but I typically get a few minutes to talk about adult education funding specifically. I’ll report on anything interesting that comes up. Jeff > Begin forwarded message: > > I. Policy Intelligence and Education News > > · What we’re hearing about the CR – Congress still has not acted on a budget deal, an action seen as a first step to passing year-long appropriations and other key legislative priorities. The conventional wisdom last month was that the Administration would request a third supplemental disaster relief package in early November, which could become the vehicle for a budget deal to raise caps on defense and non-defense discretionary (NDD) funding. With that deal in place, Congress could then pull together a fiscal year (FY) 2018 omnibus appropriations package – a task that Appropriations Committee staff says takes about four weeks. For that to happen before the Continuing Resolution currently funding government activities expires on December 8 would require budget action now. Obviously, that hasn’t happened. Possible outcomes we’re hearing: > · No disaster supplemental this month – that takes away a possible platform for a budget deal > · Short-term CR until December 15 – Congress will likely need to extend the CR at least a week with no agreement yet in sight > · Longer-term CR until January/February – some are talking about putting off decisions on year-long funding until January or February. However, it’s possible the talk of a longer extension is designed to encourage defense hawks to support higher NDD levels to match defense increases, the parity principle that Democrats are insisting be part of any agreement. > > · This week is all taxes, all the time – CEF does not weigh in on tax policy, but because so many of our members are involved in various aspects of the tax reform proposal, we wanted to provide some information about timelines and education-related items. > · Timeline - Yesterday, the House Ways and Means Committee started a multi-day markup of H.R. 1, its tax reform proposal pursuant to the FY 2018 budget resolution’s reconciliation instructions. The Committee plans to complete its consideration by Thursday afternoon, and then move the bill to vote on the House floor next week. The Senate Finance Committee is likely to make its version of the tax bill public on Thursday, with the possibility of a Committee markup next week. However, we’re hearing that process is slowing down, so it may be delayed. > · College endowment amendment –Yesterday Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) offered an amendment <https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171106-A1-Brady.pdf> that will subject fewer private colleges to a new excise tax of 1.4 percent on net investment income. The amendment – which passed – raises the threshold for the size of endowments that would be subject to the new tax, from endowments with assets of at least $100,000 per student to $250,000 per student. > · Opportunities for action - > o NDD United conference call on Tax Reform on Thursday – NDD United is holding a conference call this Thursday from 1-2pm to discuss the potential implications of tax reform on the NDD budget, including the increase in the deficit which has historically put pressure on the discretionary budget. The call will include an overview of the legislation and process as well as NDD United's plans to engage in the discussion. Please RSVP here <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001G9FvfMYlx7gPTpVutMRxjXgEjiRFZNLvkrFhqNtloqtKdx3Ob7nCTgtnLlumC9xc2_DR7qCe4nZXofqfy9meIrc87-CzDIUp3gE_cpccrIIHdo046gFL3nfEKuk5QlEsg6G3Wd0MvT4XLo1x-V1l4bEWTdgPyBDCDA45lxrs75J-9pCgSXIHX1V5Wc5ZNfQUevzEolGLINnKqxV9OiKRmZ2CHUUbO-1nqSfqVioJ6dLPh0aaA6GbDmx8R9OTS8Zhg2mvvg1V-m0CANLOGMTxaJGL8_k8Hdgifb2TFQBcCX5ErKrVg8pN-w==&c=LxEuKkBckxMM-OcJHfeJIeGUG6C5zquOB_xpxRuLTEl2FmlxHMcveg==&ch=3FFeHN43OP309E7lw4Ym9PnQn1aeHQn0fo-yJoS6dXH3540Gins-Tw==>. Call information is: conference line 218-339-7800, access code 794 5263. > o AFT and AASA sign-on letter and petition opposing tax plan – The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and AASA-the School Superintendents Association have authored a sign-on letter for groups asking Congress to oppose the proposed tax plans because of their effects on public schools, colleges, and universities. You can see the text and sign-on information here <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_9kc-Kjla7e3DcI9qMnPow-sGXUaKiSKF02nbkEv9XNxSVA/viewform>. Deadline for signing is COB Friday, November 10. For individuals, AFT also has a petition asking Congress to preserve the educator expense deduction and oppose any plan to eliminate it. Feel free to share the petition, which is here <https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/donttaxteachers>. > > II. Advocacy > > · CEF meetings with Congressional leadership – As you know, CEF has been active on the Hill this fall, in addition to the 43 Hill meetings we held on October 3. > · In mid-September CEF officers and leadership met with the Ted McCann with Speaker Ryan and Reva Price, Patti Ross, and Dick Meltzer with Leader Pelosi to push for a budget deal and support for education funding in the FY 2018 appropriations. > · On October 25 CEF sent a letter <https://cef.org/wp-content/uploads/CEF-letter-on-need-to-eliminate-sequester-caps.pdf> urging Congress to eliminate the sequester-level discretionary caps and increase education funding. > · Next week CEF officers are meeting with Chuck Kieffer, Staff Director for the Senate Appropriations Committee Democrats and with Claire Sanderson with Senate Whip Cornyn. > · Up next will be meetings with the Senate Appropriations Committee Republican staff, the office of Minority Leader Schumer, and Assistant Minority Whip Durbin. > > · Preparing for FY 2019 budget – Even though FY 2018 funding isn’t finalized yet, the Administration’s FY 2019 request is coming right around the corner. CEF is requesting to meet with OMB political staff to present our evidenced-based request for greater education investments. > > · Social media push in early December – #5Cent4edfunding – We are working with the Advocacy and Research Committee on plans for a social media campaign the week before the CR expires on December 8. It is a great time to amplify our message on the need for greater education investments. Stay tuned for plans and information. > >