D.C. Update
- rcarter26
- Jan 19, 2018
- 3 min read
Policy Update
Budget and appropriations breakdown
Current CR is will expire this Friday, January 19. At this point, a government shutdown seems increasingly likely. Congressional Republicans have been trying to make a deal with Dems on a budget bill that includes CHIP funding. Democrats are pushing for extending DACA, but a deal isn’t likely to get done before Friday.
If there is a short-term shutdown, schools that receive “impact aid” could be negatively impacted as well as those with Head Start programs. There were immediate closures of those programs with last shutdown in 2013. Most other K-12 funding likely won’t be seriously impacted.
Check the NASSP School of Thought blog on Monday, January 22 for an update on the shutdown or a CR deal, if there is one.
Status of a longer-term FY 2018 budget is still unclear. Republicans and Democrats are still trying to reach a deal that lifts spending caps. Republicans want to just lift caps on defense spending, but Democrats say that is a complete nonstarter unless nondefense discretionary caps also increase dollar for dollar.
Any full FY 18 budget will require a caps deal, and the budget likely won’t be completed until February or March.
‘Raise the caps’ sign on letter from state affiliates
Letter was circulated over the past week and sent up to leadership on the Hill today.
Thank you to all state affiliates who signed on!
Tax Reform
Biggest impact for education is likely to come from the change to the state and local tax deduction (SALT) which is now capped at $10k. This is likely to heavily impacts states like NY and CA.
For more on the tax bill and its impact on education, read NASSP’s School of Thought blog post
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) update
CHIP was extended in the last CR, but it only provided enough funds for the rest of this month. CHIP deal has been discussed as part of CR, but now it’s unclear if it will be included in there. If the current CR deal is passed by the Senate, CHIP would be reauthorized through 2023. NASSP is a member of the Medicaid and schools coalition and have been working with other orgs to promote CHIP reauthorization.
Courts strike down President Trump’s order to rescind DACA
Courts overruled President Trump’s order to rescind DACA. The program can now again accept applications for renewals of DACA protections for those already enrolled, but new people still cannot apply. NASSP supports the DREAM Act and is pushing advocacy supporting DACA.
At this time, it’s unclear if the Supreme Court will take up this case.
In potential DACA deal, funding for any sort of wall is a non-starter for Democrats. They are potentially open to other forms of increased border security measures as part of a deal.
National Public Schools Week – February 5-9
First year that this has been coordinated. It will be a general promotion of public schools and their positive impact on our nation.
NASSP will be an active participant. ASSA is the primary organizer behind this, and other national education groups are partnering including NEA, AFT, and PTA.
Schedule of events to include:
House and Senate floor speeches throughout the week
NASSP identifying members for speeches
Press conference 2-3pm ET on February 6 with Rep. Mark Pocan (D – WI) and other House/Senate education champions.
Tweetstorm on Wednesday February 7.
Social media engagement
Graphics, sample tweets, and other materials that can be shared can be found here. You can start sending out promotional content now from your organizational and personal accounts, schedule tweets/posts for the week of, and share this content with your networks.
NASSP Twitter and Facebook will be putting out content that be retweeted or shared
Upcoming events at ED
Principal ambassador fellow Scott Crisp (WY) will be cohosting events with school counselors February 12-13. NASSP will also be participating.
Scott will also be attending and speaking at the NASSP Advocacy Conference
Shadowing visits: being expanded to happen over a 2-3 month period as opposed to just during National Principal’s Month (October).
