2007 Budget - Educating the Public

2007 Budget - Educating the Public

The Administration recently indicated that the way to ensure America succeeds is to ensure America's children succeed, emphasizing the vital role of education in creating a workforce that can compete globally, conveying a renewed commitment to education related initiatives. This principle has been the basic premise of my life and my career in public service.

However, during the month of February, as budget proposals for FY2007 are being debated, we can anticipate cuts in overall funding for education once again. This year's budget dramatically reduces educational services from pre-school through college to the tune of approximately 3.8 percent. America has not faced cuts so drastic in the last ten years. Specifically, the 2007 budget will cut areas including No Child Left Behind, higher education, high school, child care and early childhood education.

Last year, I co-sponsored legislation that would require the federal government to fully fund programs for low income schools. This year, the law will be $15.4 billion behind as its funding is one of the first to go this upcoming fiscal year. The budget continues to raise the amount of money that schoolchildren are being shortchanged from roughly $40 billion to $55 billion.

For college students who took a major blow during the last budget season, this year does not offer any remedy. The budget allows college tuition to continue to soar unchecked, despite the fact that average tuition and fees at four-year public colleges have risen 40 percent since 2001. These cuts come on the heels of 2006 budget cuts which also dramatically decreased federal funding to student financial aid. These significant cuts undermine America's ability to retain economic leadership in the world by denying American students the opportunity to improve their education. As we continue to place special importance on the value of a college education, we continue to decrease the opportunities available to them to achieve this.

Disadvantaged high school students relying on programs including vocational training, Gear Up and TRIO will loose a billion dollars in support from the federal government as a result of the new budget. These programs, which I've worked tirelessly to protect and expand over the last year, are now being threatened. The programs prepare low-income and first-generation students for the challenges of college, and they play a critical role in encouraging high school students to take the next step towards higher education.

The 2007 budget does not even keep funding for the Head Start program. As a result, 19,000 children could be cut from the program, or the program could be forced to make cuts to the services - such as qualified teachers, educational activities, and parent education - proven to help children reach kindergarten better prepared to succeed. The budget also reduces access to the child care assistance program, which helps provide access to early learning child care and helps low-wage workers make ends meet. According to the CBO budget analysis, the Administration will cut child care assistance for 400,000 children by 2011.

As a member of the House Budget Committee, I appreciate the Administration's efforts to balance the budget. However, this cannot be done by slashing education funding, the backbone of our country's competitive edge and our economic future. We cannot attack America's working class, especially our nation's students by dramatically decreasing the assistance they deserve to improve their lives. I will continue to fight for a budget that restores fiscal responsibility and brings real solutions to the American people including strong public schools and consistent financial support for American higher education. We cannot deny Americans these fundamental educational opportunities any longer.

http://www.house.gov/cuellar/article02222006.html