• CEC; Education Advocates Reject Cuts In Education; Take Message to Capitol Hill
• Congress Continues to Address Katrina Related Legislation
• The Arc of the United States Names New Executive Director

CEC; Education Advocates Reject Cuts In Education; Take Message to Capitol Hill

On September 13th CEC along with other member organizations of the Committee for Education Funding visited Capitol Hill to urge members of Congress to reject the grossly inadequate education funding legislation that Congress is currently considering.

Among other things, H.R. 3010 the FY '06 Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill, would drastically under fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by $4 billion. In addition, this legislation would eliminate and shortchange dozens of vital programs at all levels, including cuts in overall education funding of more than 2 percent below current service levels, despite record enrollment growth.

CEC is calling upon its members to urge their Senators to increase IDEA funding when the Senate considers its FY 2006 Labor/HHS/Education appropriations bill. Once the full Senate passes its final version of the bill, CEC urges its members to contact Senators and Representatives that will make up the Conference Committee (the select group of Congressmen/women tasked with ironing out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bills). (See CEC's Policy Updates, July 1, July 15)

Due to emergency funding legislation for those affected by Hurricane Katrina, it is unclear as to when Congress will consider the FY '06 Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill. Look for more information in future policy updates as CEC continues to monitor this process.

Tell Your Senators to Increase Funding for IDEA, visit: http://capwiz.com/cek/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7783471

Congress Continues to Address Katrina Related Legislation

This week, members of Congress introduced legislation aimed at assisting those affected by Hurricane Katrina, including: Hurricane Katrina Education Relief Act (S. 1715) - Introduced by Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) respectively, this legislation authorizes funds and provides waiver authority for the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Services. In addition, the legislation contains provisions that provide emergency assistance to individuals with disabilities to ensure they continue to receive free appropriate public education and job training, and to fund the replacement of damaged or lost assistive technology devices. To learn more about S. 1715, visit: http://help.senate.gov/kated.htm

The Arc of the United States Names New Executive Director

Sue Swenson has been named the new Executive Director of The Arc of the United States upon the departure of Steve Eidelman. She had been serving as The Arc's Assistant Executive Director for Membership and Program Services since 2003. Prior to coming to The Arc, she was Executive Director of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation and was Commissioner of the U.S. Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Swenson was instrumental in helping to craft The Arc's new strategic plan and is committed to expanding The Arc's programs and services for chapters and members. CEC congratulates Sue Swenson and looks forward to our continuing collaboration.