[Dec-advocacy] action alert

[Sarah Hadden]

Welcome to the DEC Governmental Relations Listserv. The Division for  
Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children is a  
non-profit membership organization advocating for individuals who work  
with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age  
eight, and their families. For more information about DEC, please  
contact the DEC Office at: The Division for Early Childhood, 634 Eddy,  
Missoula, MT 59812-6696. Phone: 406-243-5898, Fax: 406-243-4730,  
e-mail: dec at selway.umt.edu. If you would like to either join or be  
removed from the Governmental Relations listserv, email Sarah Hadden   
at <dsh5gn at virginia.edu>. Additional information about governmental  
relations activities can be obtained by visiting the DEC website:  
http://www.dec-sped.org/

10/26/05

Good afternoon. I am forwarding an action alert from CEC regarding  
appropriations for IDEA. I encourage you to take action.

Sarah Hadden
DEC Governmental Relations Committee


************************************************************************ 
************************************

  This week the full Senate is expected to vote on their version of the  
Labor/HHS/Education appropriations bill, which will provide funding for  
education programs – such as IDEA and Javits grants – for the 2006-2007  
school year. As you know, the Senate appropriations committee has voted  
to drastically under fund IDEA from 18.6 percent to 18 percent, despite  
Congress’ recent commitment to reach full funding by 2011.  

  In response to the proposed cut in funding for IDEA, Senators Clinton  
and Dodd will offer an amendment on the Senate floor which would  
increase funding for IDEA by $4 billion. This increase would bring the  
total amount of funding for IDEA to $14.65 billion, the level  
authorized for FY 2006 in IDEA 2004.  While CEC’s recommendation was to  
fund IDEA at $22.61 billion to put appropriations back on track towards  
reaching full funding by 2011, CEC commends Senators Clinton and Dodd  
for their recognition that greater funding for IDEA is essential to the  
achievement of students with disabilities.  In addition, CEC is pleased  
that Senators Clinton and Dodd have recognized Congress’ intent in the  
re-authorization of IDEA last year to reach full funding by 2011, and  
has taken the first steps to fulfilling this obligation to students  
with disabilities.

  Action Needed
  Urge your Senators to support the Clinton-Dodd amendment to increase  
funding for IDEA.  Visit CEC’s Legislative Action Center to identify  
your Senators and personalize an email to your elected officials!  
 http://capwiz.com/cek/home/
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: text/enriched
Size: 2801 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.cmslists.com/pipermail/dec-advocacy/attachments/20051026/3d6f8718/attachment.bin